R D & ». 1997
The Bulletin
the Amateur
Entomologistj
Society
World list abbreviation
Bull amat. Ent. Soc.
Volume 54
1995
Edited by
Wayne Jarvis B.Sc.
Index compiled by Jacqueline Ruffle
Edited by Wayne Jarvis
Published by
The Amateur Entomologists' Society
P.O. Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG
ISSN 0266-836X
CONTRIBUTORS
Caswell. Wesley
Dillon. A.D.
Author
Namber
: Pages
Abejuela. Grace C.
401
173:
402
190-2
Ash worth. Mike
399
52
Ayres. Geoff
401
161
Badmin, John
399
59-60
Bailey, M.
398
14-16
Bartman, Greg
402
197-203
Batty. Paul
403
226
Benton. Ted
400
100-104
Bragg. Phil
401
155-6
Brock. Paul D.
402
197-203
403
235
402: 209
401: 158
IT J DA
hades. K.A.
401: lob
Edmonds. Michael
401: 164
Edwards. P.J.
401: 159-60
Eiland. Murray
403: 244-5
Ellis. Hewett A.
398: 11-13
Frost. Roy A.
399: 48:
402: 194
Gardiner. Chris
402: 194
Goff. Roy
399: 35
Grey. Phil
403: 240
Guye. Michael G.
400: 88. 89-
Hancock. E. Geoffrey
399: 36-37
Hancox. M.
403: 238
Hao. Huang
399: 53-58:
63-64
Harbottle. A.H.H.
402: 206
Hardy. Peter B.
401: 173:
402: 190-2
Harvey. Martin
ICN 16: 7
Hodge. Rosalind
403: 248
Hughes. M.O.
400: 104
Irons. Stuart
400: 105
Aathor
Jarvis. Wayne
Jones. Colin
Jones. Richard A.
Kay. Humphrey
King. D.O.
King. Tony
Knight. Gordon
Kor^'szko. Jan
Namber: Pages
Larsen. Torben
Madin. D.F.
Martin. C.
McCann. Frank
McCormick. Roy
McNamara. Don
Norris. Dave
Parker. R.
Plester. Leigh
Raper. Chris
Rayment. Freda
Robinson. Neil A.
25-30:
77-82;
166-72:
210-15;
267-69
249-52
38-40.
41-42:
403: 227-32
398:
399:
401:
402:
403:
403:
399:
399: 40
398: 17-24
403: 252-4
403: 222-6
398: 8:
399: 42. 48. 58.
62. 76:
402: 195:
403: 248
398: 3-8:
399: 43-46
40i
401
401
402
403
401
399
402
149-54
129
133:
196:
234. 237.
242. 246
134-48
47-48:
193-4
400: 106
401
398
401
403
172
9-10:
156. 162-4:
241-2
399: 37
399: 65
402: 178
2
Author
Seow-Choen, Francis
Slaughter, Derek
Slaughter, Lee
Smith, J.A.D.
Steele, Tony
Stevens, Graham
Stubbs, Alan
Sutcliffe, Eddie
Tebbutt, Peter
Number: Pages
399: 49-51;
403: 239
403: 243-4
403 243-4
401: 154
130-3, 161
269
18: 4-7
236-7
401:
403:
ICN
403:
402: 204-6
Author
Thomas, Rachel, C.
Waring, Paul
Withrington, David
Number: Pages
399: 66-76;
401: 124-9;
402: 179-90
399:
66-76;
401:
124-9;
402:
179-90;
403:
247-8,
255-66
403:
233-4
SUBJECT INDEX
Aberrations
Discovering Newnham-on-Severn: The Scarlet tiger
{Callimorpha dominula L.) 399: 47-48
Heath fritillary aberrations in 1994 403: 243-4
Note on the Scarlet tiger moth (Callimorpha dominula L.)
at Newnham-on-Severn 402: 193-4
Red-spotted form of the Poplar hawkmoth larva 398: 11-13
Two more gynandromorphs of the Malayan jungle nymph,
Heteropteryx dilatata (Phasmida) with notes on captive behaviour 399: 49-51
Africa
Butterflies in Kakum National Park, Ghana,
Part 1: Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae
Part 2: Nymphalidae & Hesperiidae
Large white in South Africa
Some Emperor moths (Saturniidae) of the Southern Sudan
Amateur Entomologists' Society
60 years of the Amateur Entomologists' Society
Part I: 1935-44 398: 25-30
Part II: 1945-54 399: 77-82
Part III: 1955-64 400: 107-16
Part IV: 1965-74 401: 166-72
PartV: 1975-84 402:210-15
Part VI: 1985-95 403:267-9
1996 subscriptions 402: 206
AES Area Conservation Representative in Britain ICN 16: 7
Date for your 1996 diary (AGM & Members' Day) 403: 238
Date for your 1996 diary (AES Exhibition) 403: 245
398: 3-8
399: 43-46
403: 240
403: 255-66
3
Exhibition report and list of exhibitors at the 1994 exhibition.
held at Kempton Park Racecourse on 8th October 1994 401: 134-48
Arachnida
Feigned death in the Wolf spider {Pisaura mirabilis) (Clerk) 399: 41-42
Mass phoresy by Pseudoscorpions 403: 252-4
Story of Spider Sue 402: 209
Asia - see also specific countries
Stick-insect Datames oi/eus (VVesuvood) 1859 (Phasmida) 403: 239
Austria
Hill-topping beha^ioui- of the Su alloutail butterfly {Papilio machaon)
in the Lechtaler Alps. Ausn-ia 399: 52
Meadows, mountains and butterflies: Austrian T\,to1. August. 1993 400: 100-104
Obser\ing butterfUes in Austria. July 1994 401: 130-3
Beha\iour
Buneniy adaptation to unnatural habitats in the Philippines 402: 190-2
Cannibal ladybirds 399: 35
Connection between Meloe proscarabaeus and Anthophora reiusa
along the Pembrokeshire coast 403: 222-6
Feigned death in the Wolf spider {Pisaura mirabilis) (Clerk) 399: 41-42
Further note on Black-veined white aggregations in central Finland 403: 241-2
Further note on Swallouiail lar\'ae eating ground elder 401: 156
Further note on the piggv-back fly 399: 76
Hill-topping behaviour of the Su allowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon)
in the Lechtaler Alps. Austria 399: 52
Ladybird, the weevil and the Cola bottle 398: 8
Mass phoresy by Pseudoscorpions 403: 252-4
Mate-guarding in Ckisiaflava (Meigen) (Diptera: Clusiidae) 399: 38-40
Migration puzzle 399: 40
Observations on the appearance and behaviour of species of the
Stick insect genus Timema. (Scudder). (Phasmida: Timematodea) 402: 197-203
Some cricket species (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae. Gryllidae and
Gryllotalpidae) found in South-Westem France: Observations under
field and captive conditions 400: 89-99
Two more gvnandromorphs of the Malayan jungle nymph.
Heteropteryx dilatata (Phasmida) witn notes on captive behaviour 399: 49-51
Biological clocks
Effects of temperature on the de\-elopment of the Northern eggar moth.
Lasiocampa quercus callunae. and the wider implications 403: 247-8
Book reviews - NB. Names in parentheses are those of the authors, not the reviewers
British butterflies: Vernacular names including forms, subspecies and
aberrations (W.A. McCall) 399: 62
4
Butterflies and moths of Berkshire (B.R. Baker) 400: 106
Conservation of butterflies in Britain past and present (J. Feltwell) 402: 207-8
Danmarks Svirrefluer (E. Torp) 401: 157-8
Die Tagfalter Nordwestasiens (V. & A. Lukhtanov) 399: 60-61
Insect conservation biology (M.J. Samways) ICN 16: 9-11
New life for old woods (Land Rover Woodlands Campaign) ICN 17: 12-3
Scuttle Flies: The Phoridae (R.H.L. Disney) 399: 62
The butterflies' flypast (C. Simson) 399: 61
The insects: An outline of entomolgy (P.J. Gullan & P.S. Cranson) 402: 208
Butterfly houses
Rajah Brooke flits to the big city 398: 9-10
Cartophily
Ramblings of an aged cartophilic entomologist 398: 1 7-24
China
Erection of a new genus for the "Dubernardi- group" and a new species
of Pieridae (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in China 399: 53-58
New subspecies of Dabasa hercules (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)
from Wuyi Mountains, China 399: 63-64
Cigarette cards - see: Cartophily
Coleoptera
Cannibal ladybirds 399: 35
Connection between Meloe proscarabaeus and Anthophora retusa
along the Pembrokeshire coast 403: 222-6
Conservation
English Nature species recovery programme ICN 18: 8-9
JCCBI guidelines for invertebrate site surveys ICN 17: 5-11
Natura 2000 sites (Special Areas of Conservation) in the UK ICN 18: 4-7
Woodland Trust deadwood policy (Letter) ICN 16: 12
Corfu
Corfu in late September - butterflies 203: 233-4
Costa Rica
Observation of Prepona dexamenus (Hopffer) 401: 154
Czech Republic
Moth recording in the Czech and Slovak Republics,
4th-llth September 1994 399: 66-76
Diptera
Further note on the piggy-back fly 399: 76
5
Mate-guarding in Clusiafhua (Meigen) (Diptera: Clusiidae) 399: 38-40
Rare Syrphid found in Gvvynedd. Wales 400: 104
England - see also Scotland. Wales
A gall wasp newly recorded in Britain ICN 18:8
English Nature species recovery programme /CN 18: 8-9
Key wildlife sites in Gloucestershire ICN 17: 13
Natura 2000 sites (Special Areas of Conservation) in the UK ICN 18: 4-7
Requests for sighting of species ICN 18: 8
Road schemes in Bedfordshire. Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire ICN 16: 8
Visit to Whixall Moss 399: 42
Woodland Trust deadwood policy (Letter) ICN 16: 12
Equipment
Help wanted curing a problem with a cabinet 400: 106
V8 4x4 mobile insect trap 401: 162-4
Will breeding and insect nets be banned"^ 401: 161
Exhibitions
Correction to Exhibition report (Vol. 54 401: 147) 402: 214
Exhibition report and list of exhibitors at the 1994 exhibition.
held at Kempton Park Racecourse on 8th October 1994 401: 134-48
Los Angeles insect fair - 1995 403: 244-5
Review of the new permanent exhibit of insects at Oxford 403: 244-5
Finland
Further note on Black-veined white aggregations in central Finland 403: 241
France
Grey sand-covered bug: a request for help with identification 400: 88
Moths and butterflies of the French Pyrenees. 22nd-31st July 1994 401: 124-9
402: 179-90
Some cricket species (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae. Gn^'llidae and
Gryllotalpidae) found in South-Western France: Observations under
field and captive conditions 400: 89-99
Ghana
Butterflies in Kakum National Park, Ghana,
Part 1: Papilionidae. Pieridae, Lycaenidae 398: 3-8
Part 2: Nymphalidae & Hesperiidae 399: 43-46
Hemiptera
Grey sand-covered bug: a request for help with identification 400: 88
Request for froghopper records 399: 59-60
Hymenoptera
A gall wasp newly recorded in Britain ICN 18: 8
6
Connection between Meloe proscarabaeus and Anthophora retusa
along the Pembrokeshire coast 403: 222-6
Identification
Grey sand-covered bug: a request for help with identification 400: 88
Insect collections
Help wanted curing a problem with a cabinet 400: 106
Use of silica gel for drying insects in the tropics 401: 155-6
Invertebrate Conservation News
No. 16 398: (1-13)
No. 17 400: (1-13)
No. 18 402: (1-13)
Legal issues
Adding species for legal protection (Letter) ICN 16: 13
Proposals for legal controls on butterfly releases in Britain ICN 18: 3
Quinquennial review of 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act ICN 16: 3-7
ICN 17: 3-4
Review of species legally protected in Britain ICN 18: 9-13
Road schemes in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire ICN 16: 8
Wildlife and Countryside Act quinquennial review 403: 226
Will breeding and insect nets be banned? 401 : 161
Lepidoptera
1994 - A Vapourer moth year in Staffordshire 399: 76
Another Midland Monarch 399: 48
Autumn Lepidoptera from Glasgow 403: 237
Banana butterfly 401: 161
Brown argus {Aricia agestis) in Northamptonshire 402: 204-6
Butterflies in Kakum National Park, Ghana.
Part 1: Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae 398: 3-8
Part 2: Nymphalidae & Hesperiidae 399: 43-46
Butterfly adaptation to unnatural habitats in the Philippines 402: 190-2
Corfu in late September - butterflies 203: 233-4
C\;nthia cardui in East Sussex 402: 206
Dark green fritillary in Northamptonshire 402: 19 Ar
Dingy skipper in Derbyshire in August 402: 194
Discovering Newnham-on-Severn: The Scarlet tiger
{Callimorpha dominula L.) 399: 47-48
Early Lepidopteral sightings 403: 248
Effects of temperature on the development of the Northern eggar moth,
Lasiocampa quercus callunae, and the wider implications 403: 247-8
Entomology note from Glasgow 402: 196
Erection of a new genus for the "Dubernardi- group" and a new species
of Pieridae (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in China 399: 53-58
Further note on Black-veined white aggregations in central Finland 403: 241-2
7
Further note on Swallowtail larv^ae eating ground elder 401 : 156
Further Staffordshire Lime hawkmoths 403: 248
Glasgow obser\'ations 401 : 133
Good, the bad and the indifferent: moth numbers in Avon. 1989-1994 398: 14-16
Grey dagger on laurel 403: 234
Handkerchiefs in Trinidad and Tobago (Lepidoptera: Ni^nnphalidae) 399: 36-37
Heath fritillary aben-ations in 1994 403: 243-4
Hill-topping behaviour of the Swallo\\tail butterfly [Papilio machacr
in the Lechtaler Alps. Austia 399: 52
Lai-ge white in South Africa 403: 240
Lar\'al findings in Glasgow 403: 246
Late emergence 399: 48
Latticed heath in Staffordshire 399: 58
Meadows, mountains and butterflies: Austrian TvtoI. August. 1993 400: 100-104
Migration puzzle 399: 40
Moth recording in the Czech and Slovak Republics.
4th-llth September 1994 399: 66-76
Moth sightings in 1994 , 399: 37
Moth that wasn't 403: 269
Moths and butterflies of the French PvTenees. 22nd-31st July 1994 401: 124-9
402: 179-90
More Lepidoptera from Glasgow 403: 242
National PvTalid recording scheme launched 398: 24
New subspecies of Dabasa hercules (Lepidoptera; Papilionidae
fi-om Wuvi Mountains. China 399: 63-64
Note on the Scarlet tiger moth {Callimorpha dominula L.''
at NewTiham-on-Sevem 402: 193-4
Observ'ation oi Prepona dexamenus (Hopffer 401: 154
Observing butterflies in Austria. July 1994 401: 130-3
Pale clouded yellow (C. hya/e) - a request for records 401: 164
Proposals for legal controls on butterfly releases in Britain ICN 18: 3
Puffin Island expedition 403: 249-52
Purple thorn records in Staffordshire 402: 195
Rajah Brooke flits to the big city 398: 9-10
Red-spotted form of the Poplar hawkmoth larva 398: 11-13
Search for crenata - the Dusky-marbled brown 401 : 159-60
Small yellow wave record 399: 62
Some Emperor moths (Satumiidae) of the Southern Sudan 403: 255-66
Specialised moth in Cornwall? , /CAM6: 7-8:
/CN 18; 13
Sti-ange tale of "The Manchester Tinea" - retold 403: 236-7
Unlikely butterfly habitat in the Philippines 401: 173
V8 4x4 mobile insect trap 401: 162 A
Was 1994 a great Clouded yellow year? 401: 158
Malaysia
Rajah Brooke flits to the big city 398: 9-10
8
Two more gynandromorphs of the Malayan jungle nymph,
Heteropteryx dilatata (Phasmida) with notes on captive behaviour 399: 49-51
Medical entomology
Of bats, badgers and bovines 403: 238
Mental meanderings
Bugged up to the nines - dress sense for entomologists 403: 227-32
How long-legged was that Roman soldier?
A contribution on Romanus longipes 402: 178
Odonata
British Dragonfly Society national survey 400: 105
Further study of the Odonata of Milton Country Park (South Cambridgeshire) . 401 : 149-54
Orthoptera
Roesel's bush-cricket in Surrey 401: 129
Some cricket species (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae, Gryllidae and
Gryllotalpidae) found in South-Western France: Observations under
field and captive conditions 400: 89-99
Phasmida
Observations on the appearance and behaviour of species of the
Stick insect genus Timema. (Scudder). (Phasmida: Timematodea) 402: 197-203
Stick-insect Datames oileus (Westwood) 1859 (Phasmida) 403: 239
Two more gynandromorphs of the Malayan jungle nymph,
Heteropterxjx dilatata (Phasmida) with notes on captive behaviour 399: 49-51
Philippines
Butterfly adaptation to unnatural habitats in the Philippines 402: 190-2
Unlikely butterfly habitat in the Philippines 40i: 173
Population statistics
Good, the bad and the indifferent: moth numbers in Avon, 1989-1994 398: 14-16
JCCBI guidelines for invertebrate site surveys ICN 17: 5-11
Preserving one's records 401: 165
Recording schemes
JCCBI guidelines for invertebrate site surveys ICN 17: 5-11
National Pyralid recording scheme launched 398: 24
Preserving one's records 401: 165
Scotland
Autumn Lepidoptera from Glasgow 403: 237
Entomology note from Glasgow 402: 196
Glasgow observations 401: 133
Laival findings in Glasgow 403: 246
9
More Lepidoptera from Glasgow 403: 242
Siphonaptera
Nests too dry for fleas? 399: 66-76
Slovak Republic
Moth recording in the Czech and Slo\-ak Republics.
4th-llth September 1994 399: 66-76
Slovenia or Slovakia? 401: 172
Spain
Moth that wasn't 403: 269
Taxonomy
Erection of a new genus for the "Dubernardi- group" and a new species
of Pieridae (Lepidoptera: Rhopaloceral in China 399: 53-58
New subspecies oi Dabasa Hercules i Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)
from Wuyi Mountains. China , 399: 63-64
Tobago
Handkerchiefs in Trinidad and Tobago (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae] 399: 36-37
Trinidad
Handkerchiefs in Trinidad and Tobago ^ Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae] 399: 36-37
USA
Los .Angeles insect fair - 1995 403: 235
Obsei'X'ations on the appearance and behaiiour of species of the
Stick insect genus Timema iScudder). (Phasmida: Timematodea) 402: 197-203
Wales
Connection between Meloe proscaraboeus and Anthophora retusa
along the Pembrokeshire coast 403: 222-6
Puffin Island expedition 403: 249-52
Rare Syrphid found in Guynedd. Wales 400: 401
Welsh invenebrate review ICh' 18: 3
10
SPECIES LIST
NB. References are to articles largely or solely referring to the species listed below. Species
lists and passing references have not been indexed.
Species Number: Pages
Author Number:
Pages
A
/\cvonictQ psi
df)"^- 949
'i-UO. iLO'-t,
HydrdiQ jiQmmcolQriQ
Oyy.
62
Adolio bipunctQtQ
Aeshna grandis
400: 105
Laothoe populi
398:
11-13
Anthophora retusa
403: 222-6
Lasiocampa quercus
Apom\;elois bistratieUa
callunae
403:
247-8
neophanes
/CN 16: 7-8;
Lycaenidae
398:
6-8
iL^iv AO. lO
r\pUi lU CiUtUcyi
4n^- 94-1 9
l^liillLUiiLl ULilUllU
dCl'^-
243-4
dC)9- IQd
'fUZ . 1 y'-i
WIbIoq proscoroboBus
dClV-
HrU / .
222-6
AriciQ Qgcstis
dC)9- 904 f>
dfl"^-
HrUu.
248
AudQcidcQ follioti
/PN 1 8- R
la. O
r^ULUi-}! (Jpi ILL gUi 1 11 1 lU
iNyi 1 ipi laliUafc;
oyy .
36-7, 42
KyigylU Ui ILlLjuU
oyy .
76
K^QcyvQus TnorsriQili
rQplllO rnQCnQOU
Oyy .
52;
nlJitmnmhri Hnmini iln
^^yjtllll 1 1^1 L/l IKA KA\yi 1 III HAl\U
Sgg- 47-8:
401:
156
40P- 1Q3-4
P;=%T\i 1 i r^n i H :^ o
398:
5
\^/Ui)lU jlUuLl
QQQ. QO Ar\
oyy. oo-T-u
Porosy^rphiAS mQliriBllus
104
407- 164
ooy .
6;
C\jnthiQ CQrdui
dC)9- 906
oyy .
53-58
403:
240
JjnnnQn h^r/^i ii^q
1 iOLALifL* 1 1 III kAL/IH'J
399:
41-42
Danaus plexippus
399: 48
401:
154
Datames oileus
403: 239
401:
173
Pyralidae
398:
24
Er\;nnis tages
402: 194
Saturniidae
403:
255-66
Gluphisia crenata
401: 159-60
Selenia tetralunaria
402:
195
Gryllidae
400: 89-99
Setniothisa dathrata
399:
58
Gryllotalpidae
400: 89-99
Tettigoniidae
400:
89-99
Hamadiyas guatemalena 401: 161
Hesperiidae
399: 45
Zygaena hnicerae
Heteropteryx dihtata
399: 49-51
latomarginata
399:
76
11
© The Amateur Entomologists' Societ}'
Registered Charity No. 267430
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Printed in England b\
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of the Amateur
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EDITOR
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AES BULLETIN
No. 398
THE NATURAL
HISTORY MUS
13 MAR 1995
PURCHAbbD
ENTOMOLOGY LIBRARY
Gditorial
The New Year is upon us, and with it comes the Society's 60th
Anniversary. It was hoped that the new look Bulletin would be ready for
this issue, but unfortunately we have had some problems in producing it,
and have therefore decided to shelve the plan for this volume. We have,
however, introduced some changes in the format as you will notice as
you read on. The major addition to this volume is the start of our diary
section, to keep you informed of the goings on in the entomological
world. Any dates of meetings, exhibitions etc. are gratefully received. Also
included in this issue is ICN number 16, and, to celebrate our
anniversary, a look back at just a few of the many articles received during
the first decade of the Society.
I expect that most members are aware that the first prosecution has
been brought in the UK in respect of possession for sale of butterflies
protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
The prosecution, brought by the Leicestershire police after a visit to the
1993 Christmas Entomological Fair in Leicester resulted in fines totalling
£490 plus costs of £80 for possession for sale of 14 Chequered skipper
butterflies (Carterocephalus palaemon). The interpretation of the Act is
still a major cause of confusion amongst entomologists. It is therefore
welcome news that David Sheppard of English Nature has agreed to keep
2
FEBRUARY 1995
both the AES and the Entomological Livestock Group infoi"T.ec o: any
future changes in the Act. To simplify the Act as it stands, ir.e AES and
ELG are hoping to produce a booklet, in conjunction with English
Nature, for members clearly explaining the Wildlife and Countryside Act
with regai'd to insects. It is also hoped that members will submit questions
to be answered by English Nature to clariry :hc legis'sTion.
Questionsshould be sent to me as soon as possible. We have also been
promised an up to date copy of the Act and a current list of all species
concerned, which I shall pass on to you as soon as it is received.
We have recently been contacted by Catheiine Cribb who in:r:-n-.5 us
that she is still recei\ing phone calls about Societv^ matters, over a ye^r
after Peter's death. We would therefore, ask members who ha . e
Catherine's telephone number as a Society number, not to use ::. ru: :c
fonvard all matters to a member of Council (showm on the inside n zn:
cover of all BuUetins). Your help with this matter would be greauy
appreciated by all concerned.
The Society holds its Annual General Meeting on 22nd Apni at the
Royal Entomological Society. 41 Queen's Gate. London. The format of
the day will follow a similar format to that of last years event. Details of
how to get to the meeting are given on the inside back cover o: inis
Bulletin. The day will commence at 11am.
The AGM will see our SecreTaiy. Simon FrcS^r '^.'.s r:s::::n due
to work commitments overseas. As yet we still ns/. c :c r.r.u a i cU-ace.-r.en:
for him. Any member who is interested in the position should contaci
Simon as soon as possible for fuither details of what the job entails.
We have recently decided that the AES should include electronic mail
addresses, wherever possible, for a faster contact of council members.
Those addresses which are available ai-e included on the inside front
cover of the Bulletin. Finally, we have also decided that inserts will nc /.
be accepted into the Bulletin. This change in policy has been brough:
about for the simple reason that we have now been pushed into the next
postage band, and therefore an extra 50g of weight can be used. Rates
for inserts may be obtained from Rob Dyke our ad\-ern5ing secretary at
the address on the inside front co\'er.
Best wishes for the 1995 season.
Wayne.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54 3
BUTTERFLIES IN KAKUM NATIONAL PARK, GHANA,
PART I: PAPILIONIDAE, PIERIDAE & LYCAENIDAE
by Torben B. Larsen
358 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8PL.
As part of background research for my book, The butterflies of West
Africa - origins, natural history, diversity and conservation, I decided to
study the butterfly fauna of Kakum National Park in depth. Virtually no
attempts have been made to compile complete lists of butterflies from
single localities in West Africa, though such lists would be a useful aid to
assessing total biodiversity. A further advantage of studying single
localities in depth is the gradual development of an understanding of
seasonality, the relative frequency of the various species and their habitat
preferences, which is hard to obtain through flying visits to many
localities.
Kakum National Park consists of about 350km^ of tropical rainforest in
good condition, though parts were selectively logged not that long ago. It
is one of the most important conservation areas in West Africa, where
rainforest has been lost at an alarming rate throughout this century.
Perhaps the largest indicator of the continuing health of the forest is the
presence of the small forest elephant, a well-differentiated subspecies of
the savannah elephant, so shy that its habits and social organisation are
still only poorly understood.
The park has become something of a "conservation flagship" in Ghana
since it is readily accessible by tarmac road from Cape Coast, a town
some 150km west of the capital, Accra. Cape Coast was for long a slaving
centre and the coastline is dotted with forts (Portuguese, English, Dutch
and Danish) which stand as living testimonials to one of the worst
examples ever of the human capacity for inhumanity. The Park is being
developed by the Ghana Wildlife Department with technical support from
Conservation International and financial support from US AID.
The purpose of this paper is to give an impression of the butterfly fauna
in a West African rainforest setting.
The biogeographical setting
The West African rainforest is one of four major forest regions in Africa,
all of which are - or at various times were - in continued faunal contact.
The Afrotropical region has some 3,700 butterfly species, more than two-
thirds of which are forest species. About 900 forest species occur in
western West Africa, i.e. the area west of the Dahomey Gap - a
biogeographical barrier where a tongue of savannah breaks the forest
4
FEBRUARY 1995
zone between Ghana and western Nigeria. North of the forest zone occur
an additional 100 or so savannah species. So far 870 of the thousand
West Afi'ican species are known with cenaintv' from Ghana.
Since all the forest zones in Africa are. or have been, in recent faunal
contact, there is considerable similarity- between the regions. Levels of
regional endemicity are relatively low. Thus, hardly any genera of
butterflies are limited to West Africa, but about 120 species are - 15% of
the forest fauna. The remainder are found in other forest regions as well,
often ranging right through from Sierra Leone to western Kenya, and
even to the East African coastal forests.
The butterflies of Kakum
I have spent some 60 days in the field (35 field days, defined as five
hours' collecting a day in good weather conditions) at Kakum on
numerous occasions over the past 18 months. In the course of this I have
established the presence of almost 440 species of bunerflies - half the
Ghana total and nearly two-thirds of Ghana's forest butterflies. However,
many remain to be discovered and I would expect the total to be
somewhere between 550 and 600.
To place these figures in perspective, the highest published figures from
elsewhere in West Afiica are around 380 (Olokemeji, Gambari and Agege
in Nigeria (Larsen. Riley & Comes 1980, Riley & Comes 1970. Hopkins
1970)). The most detailed faunistic study yet of butterflies in West Afiica
is the review of the Liberian fauna by Fox et al. (1965 !, At this point only
475 species were known with certainty from Liberia. During their many
years of collecting. Fox and his wife caught far fewer species in Liberia
than I have personally found at Kakum..
A short walk in Kakum National Park
A good day in the ti'opical forests is one that is partly cloudy, so that sun
and shade alternate. This keeps down temperatures so that butterflies are
active all day - and allows the collector to suiwive the whole day as well!
On veiy sunny days heat shuts down much of the activity- by noon-time,
and many of the undergrowth species do not leai'e their hiding spots. A
walk should be planned to take in both abandoned logging roads, open
clearings, and the dark forest paths where the sun hardly penetrates. A
well-planned walk on a good day can be I'ery satisfying indeed, 1
regularly see as many as 150 species in a single day. My personal record
is 225. on an absolutely perfect day in the Gambari Forest, near Ibadan
in Nigeria, at the right time of the year, when my local experience was at
its best.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
5
Table 1. The butterflies of Ghana and of Kakum National Park (as of June 1994)
Family/Subfamily
Africa
Ghana
Kakum
r cnjiinji iiucifc;
R7
o /
91
1 7
PieridaG
1
1 /o
47
94
Ly LafcJI llUclc:
±'-T 1 O
^0<J
1 1 R
lYUJUil 111 IClfc;
14
9
0
L-lDyintilllafc:
Q
O
1
1
1
Lycxi icixi ici^
19
5
5
Oaiyriliafe!
47
z,o
Apaturinae
2
1
0
Charaxinae
187
49
20
i Ny 1 1 Ijjl lOlil icifc;
Acraeinae
199
39
25
Hesperiidae
478
191
91
TOTAL
3495*
864*
433*
present totals about 3650, 870 and 441 respectively.
Papilionidae
There are at least 17 Swallowtails (Papilionidae) at Kakum. The Giant
emperor swallowtail (Papilio menestheus Drury) is the most common,
together with Papilio c\;proeofila Butler; the males of both patrol along
open paths. Occasionally, the huge Papilio horribilis Butler will swoop
down from the canopy with wings held a third open. There are three of
the brilliant Green-banded swallowtails of the Papilio nireus group, often
joining the Long-tailed swordtail, Graphium policenes Cramer, at damp
patches. An occasional flash of emerald, hurtling along at prodigious
speed, announces the rare Graphium fynderaeus Fabricius - one of the
most beautiful of all African butterflies.
So far neither of Africa's largest and most spectacular butterflies (Papilio
zalmoxis Hewitson and Papilio antimachus Drury) have been sighted at
Kakum, but they may well be there. Both are remarkably scarce, local,
and seasonal in West Africa.
6
FEBRUARY 1995
Pieridae
The whites and yellows (Pieridiae) of Africa are very similar to those of
Asia and the Neotropics - indeed Appias and Eurema are pan-tropical
genera, and Belenois is well represented in Asia. Among the most
prominent is the Forest grass yellow (Eurema senegalensis Boisduval); on
old logging roads, where the sensitive plant Mimosa pudica has
penetrated, the Common grass yellow (Eurema hecabe Linne) of open
habitats may also be found. The two normally never fly together. The
most prominent of the whites are four members of the genus Leptosia,
flying everywhere with what must be among the weakest flights of any
butterflies. On warm days large numbers of Belenois and Appias come to
damp sand (see plate 95A Fig. 1). Some of the Pierid females show a
remarkable degree of dimorphism which has not yet been systematically
studied; they seem to be mimics of Mylothris. Many of the African
Pieridae (not least the Colotis and related genera) are savannah
butterflies and these never penetrate the forest, though several of them
invade cleared agricultural land. There are only 25 Pieridae at Kakum
and few remain to be discovered.
Still missing is the Ghost (Pseudopontia paradoxa Felder), the only
member of the subfamily Pseudopontiinae, with its transparent wings and
amazing venation. Just possibly Kakum is not wet enough, but it seems to
be generally rare in Ghana, and during my extensive collecting I have
taken just two in Ankasa National Park.
Lycaenidae
The Lycaenidae are by far the largest group of African butterflies with
about 40 per cent of the total fauna, but they are a very mixed lot indeed.
The most unusual are the African subfamily Lipteninae. These are small
white, yellow, red, orange or black butterflies - often with beautiful
patterns - that are strictly limited to the proximity of Crematogaster ants
which build large paper nests on tree-trunks. There seems to be no real
symbiosis - the larvae have no honey glands - but no ants ... no
butterflies. The Lipteninae are so bizarre that many were originally
described as Pieridae or Acraeinae. They are not at all numerous at
Kakum and need looking for. They gather in little clusters on twigs or
tendrils, especially those of Marantaceae which have extra-floral nectaries.
They never visit flowers and their proboscis is reduced in length
compared with flower-feeding Lycaenidae. My favourites are the almost
clearwing Ornipholidotos; I was particularly pleased to find a colony of
OrniphoHdotos larseni Stempffer, which I never saw again since finding
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54 7
one of the types in Nigeria in 1967! The largest of the Liptenines is
Mimacraea darwinia Butler, a stunning mimic or co-mimic of Acraea
epaea Cramer. Some 30 of these species have been recorded, but there
must be many more.
The Epitola section of the Lipteninae are usually blue on the upperside,
and therefore rather less unusual. The huge genus Epitola probably has
some 30 Ghanaian species, but I have only taken three or four at Kakum.
They seem to live high up, just below the canopy, and are only seen
when they come down to display on their chosen parade ground. Each
species has its own display time, lasting less than an hour. On three
separate occasions, within a few minutes of 11.30, I have taken a single
male Epitola carcina Hewitson in exactly the same spot. It will be a long
time before all the Epitola and the related genera in Kakum have been
recorded, but the largest of them (Hewitsonia boisduvalii Aurivillius) is
fortunately there. Conservation International is planning to construct a
canopy walkway which may help in pinning down the habits of these
particular butterflies, I shall certainly spend many days on the walkway
with a long-handled net. So far only ten members of the Epitola group
have been found; there must be at least 20 more.
There are a few members of the subfamilies Miletinae and Liphyrinae,
the truly carnivorous species, which feed on Homoptera or ants. Of these,
only Megalopalpus zymna Hewitson is tolerably common. I took a single
female of the Moth butterfly (Euliphyra mirifica Holland), which feeds on
the early stages of the vicious tailor ants [Oecophylla); I had no idea what
it was until I took it out of the net!
The Aphnaeinae and Theclinae are numerous and mostly rather similar
to Oriental species, and many would not look out of place in the
Neotropics. Most are quite scarce, however. For instance, there are some
25 of the beautiful lolaus in Ghana, but I have only taken four or five at
Kakum. The rarest are members of the Pseudalestis, about which Denis
Owen (1991) recently wrote; my total is a single battered male of
Pseudaletis leonis Staudinger which dropped out of the canopy. One
species that is common is the False-head butterfly, Oxylides faunas. Not
only does it have the amazing false-head, but it has an extra twist - it
turns 180° a fraction of a second before landing in order to improve the
effect. I pointed out this phenomenon to a group of Wildlife Department
staff during my first visit to Ghana and word has spread. Now I keep
being told the story in other parks by staff who do not know me - an
interesting example of how effective informal communication channels
can be. I have about 30 members of this group so far, but there must be
8
FEBRUARY 1995
almost twice as many. And there are new species to be found; I have just
described Diopetes kakumi, a beautiful new Thecline.
Apart from Anthene and related genera, the Polyommatinae are poorly
represented in the forest zone. The most evident are the snow-white
members of the Oboronia, including by far the eastern-most colony of
Oboronia libenana Stempffer. The Polyommatine tally so far comes to
35.
Only two Riodininae of the genus Abisara, well represented also in
Asia, are known from West Africa. They seem to be restricted to the very
highest points of West Africa (700 metres plus) and may well be
genuinely absent from Kakum.
The only African mainland Libytheine, L'lbythea labdaca Westwood is
usually absent, but then occasionally turns up as a migrant by the million.
Since it is found only in the forest zone, it is difficult to fathom why these
large-scale movements take place.
(to be continued)
THE LADYBIRD, THE WEEVIL AND THE COLA BOTTLE
by Jan Kori^szko (6089)
During September 1994, a student friend. Miss Sharon Parry-Thomas,
told me of an observation she had had a few weeks before. This was a
ladybird which appeared to be attracted to an empty, green, plastic cola
bottle. She noticed the ladybird sitting on a small indentation on the
bottle, which was almost the same shape and size as the ladybird.
Sharon thought it was trying to bite into the bottle - maybe there was
already a very small perforation in the bottle, and the smell or taste of the
cola, the colour of the bottle or a combination of the two attracted the
ladybird.
On a few occasions at home in my pantry, I have noticed the odd
weevil sitting on the neck of my two litre plastic pop bottles. They seem to
be trying to find a way into the bottles. I have heard of ladybirds, but
more so weevils, that can give a human a small bite or nip at times, but
their jaws would find a plastic bottle quite hard going. I wonder if other
members have had similar observations or can add to this subject.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
9
RAJAH BROOKE FLITS TO THE BIG CITY
by Leigh Plester (2968)
Yla-Muuratjdrvi, FIN-41800 Korpilahti, Finland.
Given 15 hours to kill in a tropical city, my hero Captain Cook (Keith
Floyd) would probably head for the nearest source of human nectar, but
being an entomologist and having four people in tow (all female, aged
from three to infinity), I naturally set out to enjoy myself still further.
Taman Rama-Rama, Kuala Lumpur's Butterfly Park (or Butterfly Centre,
if you believe the legend on the plastic carrier bags) is located in a quiet
part of the city, amidst the sophisticated greenery of parks, including an
orchid one, all well worth visiting. It's a bit out of the way, but if you stand
looking stupid (no sweat for me) at the exit to K.L. airport, it takes all of
ten seconds for a taxi driver to approach you, offering to "show you the
sights". Depending on your bent, these can vary from the nefarious to the
fairyous - and what more like a nymph than a butterfly (I said I was an
entomologist)? Well, of course, we ended up at the flutterby one.
The butterflies (Lepidoptera) at Taman Rama-Rama are housed
together with the visitors in a huge, landscaped net cage, liberally
sprinkled with saplings, bushes, herbaceous plants, mounds of scarlet
hibiscus flowers sprayed with honey, and meandering concrete paths.
The splash of water comes from what can only be described as a "live
stream". Animals ranging from rabbits to turtles and some lethal-looking
lizards peer out of cages at the humans under netting and, to those with
long sight, create the right jungle atmosphere. There is also a small
python who looks at you as though contemplating what he'd do to you if
only he'd been born an anaconda.
August 30th was a dull day, but hot for all that. A lot of the butterflies
in the enclosure sat about on leaves, drooping in the tropical heat, while
others flapped about from place to place looking exactly as they do in the
rainforest. I and my entourage were a bit cynical at first, having just
virtually stepped out of a North Borneo one, but we had to admit the
resemblance to reality was pretty good. In other words, they had got it
right. And for people from the big city, not to mention from as far away
as cold old Europe, Taman Rama-Rama, like other butterfly parks, must
be a revelation. Well worth visiting, in short.
Fitting some of the local names to the actual insects in the butterfly
house is not recommended to those suffering from hunger pains:
Chocolate pansy, Yam fly. Knight, Wizard, Baron, Snow flat, Palm fly,
Saturn, the jolly old Plum Judy and the Atlas moth. Most spectacular in
10
FEBRUARY 1995
Fig. 1. A live leaf butterfly (left) advertises itself on an information board for the species.
flight are the jet-black and gold Helena birdwings (Plate 96B Fig. 3) and
the lamp-black and emerald Rajah Brooke's birdwings (Plate 95B Fig. 4)
- taking me, at least, back to Sarawak and the era of the White Rajahs. A
room in the entrance building harbours a fascinating collection of vivaria
housing various kinds of Malaysian insects, other arthropods, and even a
master-of-camouflage frog.
A slight fly (Diptera) in the ointment is the lack of early stages. Being
naive, I had expected to see caterpillars a-chobbling and chrysalids a-
splitting, if not eggs actually being deposited. A young man in a shelter
near the waterfall was busy glueing pupae to sticks and from him I
learned that the butterflies are unfortunately bred elsewhere. Another,
more serious, irritation was the lack of any kind of pamphlet in English.
There was only a photocopied sheet in Bahasa saying "Welcome to the
Butterfly Park", explaining that the attraction had been opened on 4th
February 1992. Most of the brochure was filled with such things as a
puzzle, a crossword and a "Cari Perbezaannya" (find the odd-one-out)
for the local children.
For all that, if you are left with a few hours in K.L., all-in-all a friendly
and fascinating city, try to beetle (Coleoptera) off to the Kuala Lumpur
Butterfly Park. Its modest entrance fee truly represents money well-spent.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
11
THE RED-SPOTTED FORM OF THE POPLAR HAWKMOTH
LARVA
hyHewett A. Ellis {9940}
16 Southlands, Tynemouth, T\^ne & WearNESO 2QS.
Over the last sixteen years it has been my good fortune to find several red-
spotted larvae of the Poplar hawkmoth, Laothoe populi, Linn., the latest
two on 10th September, 1994 in Preston Cemetery, North Shields. One of
these is shown in the accompanying photographs (Plate 95D and Fig. 1).
These attractive-looking larvae have been recognised for over two
hundred years (Sepp 1762), but the standard texts (Carter & Hargreaves
1986) refer to them only briefly. Until recently (Ellis 1993b) there was
available little information concerning the possible variations in
anatomical distribution of the spots, and it was not known whether the
spotting affects one or both sexes, is inherited or acquired, is related to
the larval ground colour or to the particular foodplant.
The colour photographs illustrate some of the main features of these
larvae. The spots may be located along the subdorsal lines, the spiracular
lines or in miscellaneous regions as follows:
Subdorsal line spots
These are arranged more or less symmetrically about the dorsal midline
and occur on one or more of the three thoracic segments and the first to
seventh abdominal segments. In a series of 207 red-spotted larvae I have
found subdorsal spots in 166 (80.2%). Their distribution and size are not
random. Subdorsal spots are most frequent and largest on the third
abdominal (A3) segment and overall their order of diminishing frequency
is:
A3>T2>A7>A4>A2>A1>A5>T1>T3>A6
Some combinations of subdorsal spots are more frequent than others and
the six commonest are:
T2, T3 & A7>A3>T2, A3, A4 & A7>T1, T2, T3, Al TO A7
= A3&A7>T2&A3
Spiracular line spots
In a few (5.3%) spotted larvae there are subdorsal spots only, but
commonly (77.3%) there are accompanying spots on the spiracular line.
For the most part (74.9%) these are located anterior and/or posterior to
the spiracles, but in a few larvae (2.4%) there are spots at the same level
on segments T2 and T3 where there are no spiracles. Paraspiracular spots
12
FEBRUARY 1995
Fig. 1. Subdorsal line spois Tl lo A / ; spiracuiar line spois Al lo A6. dark red pigment of
apex of head capsule and prolegs.
may be the only markings in about a sixth (IT^'^o) of spotted larvae. As
with the subdorsal spots there is much individual variation between
laivae. but in the commonest pattern (in 22% of larvae) there are anterior
and posterior spots in relation to eveiy abdominal spiracle on Al to A8.
Miscellaneous red markings
In this categoiy there are a number of locations for the red pigment which
is most fi-equent on the head capsule at the apex and sides, and around
the ocelli and the mouth parts. It may also occur on the sides of the
thoracic legs and abdominal prolegs. and at the base of the tail-horn.
These miscellaneous markings tend to occur in larvae with the most
prominent and numerous subdorsal and paraspiracular t^pes of red spots.
Rearing pupae and adults horn these laivae has shown (Ellis 1993b)
that both males and females may be of the red-spotted variety and
interestingly one larva with symmetrical spots proved to be a bilateral
gynandromoiph (Ellis 1993a).
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
13
Since the larvae may be found in the wild feeding on various types of
poplar and willow it seems unlikely that the red spots are related to the
foodplant and this has been confirmed during the rearing and breeding
studies. Some larvae are unspotted in their early instars and the full
complement of spotting may be delayed until the fourth instar. The
breeding studies have confirmed that the red-spotting is inherited but not
by a simple Mendelian or sex-linked mechanism and the precise mode of
inheritance has not been determined. The various types of spotting are
not related to the larval ground colour.
It should be pointed out that the larvae of the Eyed hawkmoth
(Smehnthus ocelhtus) may be ornamented with similar red spots to those
described here in the Poplar hawkmoth. Since these forms of the larvae
have existed for at least two centuries, then presumably the spotting does
not significantly adversely affect the well-being (or survival) of the larvae.
It has been suggested (Barrett 1895), that these red-spotted larvae
occur more frequently in the north of the United Kingdom. I have found
them in Lytham St Annes, on Lindisfarne (Holy Island) off the North-
umberland coast, and locally in North Shields. I would be interested to
hear from anyone with records of such larvae in order to ascertain
whether or not Barrett's suggestion is correct.
REFERENCES
Barrett, C.G. (1895). The Lepidoptera of the British Isles. 2. Heterocera, Spinges,
Bombyces. Reeve, London.
Carter, D.J. & Hargreaves, B. (1986). A Field Guide to Caterpillars of Butterflies and Moths
in Britain and Europe. Collins, London.
Ellis, H.A. (1993a). A bilateral gynandromorph of the Poplar hawkmoth {Laothoe populi
Linn.). The Vasculum 78: 15-17.
- , (1993b). Observations on the red-spotted form of the larva of the Poplar hawkmoth,
Laothoe populi Linn. The Vasculum 78: 32-50.
Sepp, C. & Sepp, J.C. (1978). Butterflies and Moths (reproduction of selected copper
engravings from the original De Nederlandsche Insecten with modern text by S. McNeill).
Joseph, London.
INDEX TO VOLUME 53 (1994)
Apologies are given for the non-inclusion of the index to Volume 53. We
will be including this with the next issue of the Bulletin.
14
FEBRUARY 1995
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE INDIFFERENT - MOTH
NUMBERS IN AVON 1989-1994
Mike Bailei; (9153)
Ho//y Cottage. Tuning. Timsbur[/'. Bath. Avon BA3 IHG.
I have been running a small 18 watt fluorescent "blue-black" light trap in
my garden in Timsbury. near Bath for the last six years. 1993 seemed to
be the quietest season so far, with many species being present in
unusually low numbers. I was interested to read that Dominic Rey
(Bulletin 52: 256) found butterfly numbers were low in 1993 and that he
described it as the worst for 20 years. This started me wondering whether
or not AES members had had similar findings to mine. Looking in back
copies of the Bulletin, I found that several members over the recent years
have commented upon the abundance or, of late, the scarcity of
Lepidoptera. Opinions, however, were sometimes divided, for example,
Peggy Pittkin (Bulletin 49: 183) observed that 1989 was a poor year for
both butterflies and moths although G.R. Smith (Bulletin 49: 212-215)
found plenty of butterflies in the south-west of England and the Scottish
Highlands. In 1991 Brian Gardiner (Bulletin 51: 29) found butterfies and
moths abounding in Cambridge, whilst Roger Hayward (Bulletin 52: 82,
99, 173) definitely found it to be a poor year with '"A late and poor
season", which "continued", through to an "autumnal anticlimax""!
Table 1 . Macro-mioth totals. Tyning, Timsbury, Avon.
1st March 1989 to 15th October 1994.
Year
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
Total of individual moths
8887 21948
4981
8653
4401
13203
Trapping nights n =
200
217
175
199
201
220
Average per trapping night
44
101
29
44
22
60
Species tally per year
168
191
165
176
167
201
% of 6 years tally of 279 species
60
68
59
63
60
72
(Correlation between total of moths caught and species tally r = 0.59. t = 2.41, 4 d.f.. P <0.1)
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
15
Table 2. The number of years in which each species of macro-moth was
recorded 1989-1994. Tyning, Timsbury, Avon.
No.
species
%
Caught in all 6 years
89
32
Caught in 5 out of 6 years
40
14
Caught in 4 out of 6 years
28
10
Caught in 3 out of 6 years
34
12
Caught in 2 out of 6 years
30
11
Caught in 1 out of 6 years
58
21
Total
279
100
The total number of individual moths, the average daily catch and the
annual species tally for the period 1st March to 15th October for '89-'94,
caught in my garden is given in Table 1 . The average daily catch and the
species tally for each year is shown in the graph, Fig. 1.
As can be seen this site produced its highest population total in 1990
which was approximately five times greater than the low total years of '91
and '93. On this scale one would presumably have to place '89, '92 and
'94 as being closer to an intermediate/average level.
Being a relative newcomer to moth trapping, having been more
involved in catching and ringing birds, I've been amazed at the large
amplitude in the oscillations in the rise and fall of insect populations. It
certainly makes for more spectacular graphs!
In Table 2, I've listed the number of species that were found in all six
years, down to being recorded in only one of the years.
I was surprised by just how few species, 89 out of 279 (32%) were
found in every year and indeed that 58 species (21%) occurred in one
year only. Obviously the rate at which new species get added to the list
will slow down but I can quite see that this has implications for atlas and
16
FEBRUARY 1995
Fig. 1. Macro-moth totals. Tyning, Timsbury, Avon.
1989 - 1994 (1st March - 15th October)
\ j Average per trapping night
Hj Species tally per year
censusing work. In any one year the best I would have achieved was 72%
and the worst 60% of the total found in all six years.
I would be very interested to hear from other members who run traps
on a regular basis to see just how their totals vary from year to year. Has
anyone had fluctuations in numbers that are similar to, or different from
mine? I certainly get the impression from talking to a few "old-hands" that
the last six years have not been remarkable in terms of high numbers, if
anything the opposite seems to be true. It would, therefore, be very
informative to hear not only of recent totals and/or average nightly
catches but of trap totals over a longer period too.
There does seem to be some correlation between the yearly total of all
moths caught and the number of species identified although in this small
sample it is barely statistically significant. Nevertheless, a record of the
total of species caught each year from regularly trapped sites could also
reflect differences in annual abundance and would be of great interest.
FEBRUARY 1995
COLOUR SECTION
Fig. 1. Pierids visiting a deliberately created "urine patch" - three Belenois theora, four Appias
sahina. and one Ewema senegalensis. All are males.
Fig. 2. A praying mantis eating Euphaedrafrancina, one of the largest butterflies of the forest
floor, having picked it off a rotting fruit.
PLATE 95A
COLOUR SECTION
FEBRUARY 1995
Fig. 3. A female Helena birdw ing imbides nectar from hibiscus blossoms.
Fig. 4. The park's emblem, a Rajah Brooke birdw ing rests on a banana leaf.
PLATE 95 B
Number 16 February 1995
INVERTEBRATE
CONSERVATION
NEWS
The Amateur Entomologists' Society
Founded in 1935
ICN Editor:
AES Habitat Conservation Officer:
David Lonsdale
33 Kings Road. .-^lion. Hampshire GU34 IPX.
Martin Harvey
1 .Arrow-field Corages. Roiherfield-Greys.
Henley-on-Thames. Oxon.
AES Conservation Committee
Reg Fr^' The Havithoms. Frating Road. Great Bromley.
Colchester. Essex C07 7JN.
Colin HaiT Fourpenny Cottage. Dungates Lane. Buckland.
Betchworth. Syn-ey RH3 7BD.
Owen Lewis School of Biological Sciences. University of
Birmingham. Edgbaston. Birmingham B15 2TT.
Darren Mann 104 Albert Street. Canton. Cardiff CFl ajP.
Stephen Miles 469 Staines Road West. Ashford. Middlesex TIV15 2.AB.
Mai-tin Harvey Address as above.
ICN is printed by Cra\-itz Printing Co. Ltd.. 1 Toi.\er Hill. BrenP.'.'ood. Essex CNn4 4TA.
Co\-er designed by Wayne Jar\is. Illustrations by Mike Hill.
NOTICE
It is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theories, expressed in the pages of this Journal
are solely those of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or
sought requests for help or information, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Editor, the Officers and
Council of the Society, nor its Trustees, can be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that
might be sustained by reliance thereon.
INVERTEBRATE
CONSERVATION
NEWS
No. 16, February, 1995
Editorial
It is just over a quarter of a century since ICN first appeared under its
original title as the AES Conservation Group Bulletin, and the next few
editorials will ask how much success has there been in tackling the
problems that were then being highlighted. Then, as now, we were
pointing out that habitat destruction was the main problem causing the
decline and extinction of invertebrate populations. We also tried to
discourage unscrupulous activities by a minority of field naturalists, in
particular "over-collecting". Both messages were - and remain - valid,
but experience now proves that governments and international agencies
find it much easier to target unscrupulous naturalists than to control
habitat destruction.
The criminal law can certainly help to conserve populations of many
vertebrates, on which collecting or hunting can have a major impact. For
terrestrial invertebrates, however, collecting usually involves a very much
smaller proportion of their populations, which consist of relatively large
numbers of individuals with high rates of both fecundity and mortality.
Even so, for species brought to the brink of extinction through habitat
destruction and isolation, the precautionary principle suggests that there
must be situations where collecting could be the last straw. There is no
scientific evidence to support the arguments of those who think that legal
protection of invertebrate species ought to be as wide-ranging, for
example, as that applying to birds in the UK. Nevertheless, the laws in
some other countries are applied to many invertebrates for which
collecting is not a credible threat; for example Mark Collins revealed in
AES Pamphlet No. 13 (1987) that it is an offence to collect any species of
ladybird in the Flemish region of Belgium.
(2)
February 1995
It would be hard to prove whether the criminalisation of collecting
endangered species has helped their populations "on the ground", but it
has been accepted by a wide range of entomologists who would not in
any case wish to collect such species. In Britain, the voluntary code for
collectors, published by the Joint Committee for the Conservation of
British Invertebrates (JCCBI), is widely respected by naturalists. However,
most serious field entomologists seem firmly against the idea of legal
protection for long lists of species, not only because collecting is necessary
for the study and identification of most taxa, but also because they value
their personal freedom. Even in Britain, however, the current law raises
anxieties over the possession or sale of legally acquired specimens of
scheduled species, since possessors of fully protected species can be
found guilty unless they can prove otherwise.
The increasing attention paid to invertebrate conservation in nature is a
very welcome development, but it is also becoming a source of
disagreement over the need for legal restrictions on the individual. Those
who have responsibility for reserves have a very understandable desire to
control things that happen "on their patch". More seriously, unauthorised
activities can interfere with specific conservation management objectives.
The JCCBI has recently discussed these issues, and one suggestion that it
considered - and rejected - was that collecting any invertebrate on a
nature reserve without authorisation should be made punishable by law.
This discussion took place within the context of the JCCBI's drafting of a
policy document on the role of law in invertebrate conservation. This
document, now finalised, sets out clear criteria for deciding when a
species could qualify for full legal protection. This document will be
published in a later issue of ICN, once the list of signatories has been
announced.
The JCCBI document on legislation also deals with the control of
introductions or re-introductions. The document states that:
"Introductions or re-introductions should normally be controlled by
law only when they involve species or genetic forms not native to the
state concerned. Exceptions may be necessary for economic reasons
as well as in the interests of wildlife conservation."
Perhaps with this last point in mind. Butterfly Conservation is now
arguing for legal controls on the release of any of the rarer British butterfly
species, since such releases can undermine conservation management
objectives. This could be done by adding these species to Schedule 9 of
the Wildlife and Countryside Act, as explained by Alan Stubbs on behalf
of Butterfly Conservation in this issue of ICN. The proposal deserves
Invertebrate Conservation News, Vol. 16
(3)
careful consideration, since field naturalists should not condone activities
which threaten valid conservation programmes. However, as in all
activities not directly harming other human beings or their property, the
criminal law should be invoked only with good reason.
News, Views and General Information
Quinquennial review of 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act
In Britain, the lists of legally protected plant and animal species are
reviewed every five years. We learned in November that proposed
changes in the next review were to be sent to the Joint Committee for
Nature Conservation by mid-February, but this gave no chance to invite
suggested proposals via ICN. However, we hope that ICN readers will
have an opportunity to comment on any proposals that are made; this
might help to prevent any unsuitable proposals being "given the nod" by
those of us who sit on committees. We do not yet know of any proposed
additions of invertebrate species to Schedule 5, which relates to
collecting, disturbance and trade. However, there will be a proposal from
Butterfly Conservation that certain butterflies should be added to
Schedule 9, which relates to the release of species into the wild.
The proposal, drafted by Alan Stubbs, reads as follows:-
Proposal
All British Red Data Book and Notable Butterflies should be added to Schedule
9, making it illegal to release these species except under licence.
Notable = Nationally Scarce = Pink Species (species currently occurring in
no more than one hundred 10km squares in Great Britain).
At present, these butterflies are listed under Schedule 5. Some species are
fully protected; the rest require a licence for trading of wild-caught specimens
(under Section 9[5]).
Schedule 9, Part 1, is subject to Section 14. It is 14 (1) which controls release
of non-native "kinds" of animal, even those not listed in the Act [14 (1) (a)].
However, there is also provision to list species which are established or
otherwise resident [14 (1) (b)]. This reads:-
14. - (1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, if any person releases or
allows to escape into the wild any animal which -
(a) is of a kind which is not normally resident in and is not a regular
visitor to Great Britain in a wild state;
or
(b) is included in Part 1 of Schedule 9, he shall be guilty of an offence.
(4)
February 1995
History of Proposal
The concept and its reasons were floated at the 58th meeting of the JCCBI
held on 20th October 1994, allowing some discussion of the implications. On
30th October the Conservation Committee of Butterfly Conservation (BC)
further reviewed the implications and decided that the proposal was necessary
and should be forwarded to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC),
the government agency handling the Quinquennial Review consultation. The
JNCC observer at that meeting considered that Schedule 9 was an appropriate
means of achieving the objective. At the JCCBI Executive Committee meeting
on 12th December, the proposal was discussed, and a statement from BC was
requested by representatives of two of the national entomological societies
(BENHS and AES).
No-one welcomes having to use legal measures. However, if there are
problems that can be best resolved using legislation provided by Parliament,
then that is the route that has to be faced.
In making this proposal, BC is aware that it is a sensitive issue, both for
those who oppose controls and those who support them, but BC feels that
action must be taken in the best interests of conservation.
Proposals have to be received by JNCC by mid-February 1995. JNCC will
be issuing a consultation document incorporating all submissions, thus giving
societies and other interested parties a chance to comment. It is open to
anyone to counter this proposal. However, it will need to be shown that the
problem does not exist or - if it does exist - that the reasoning is wrong and
that alternative equally effective measures can be adopted.
Reasons for the proposal
1. There is widespread concern that butterflies are being released
surreptitiously, rather than with consultation and co-operation with the
conservation bodies.
2. The voluntary principle does not work; indeed there are strong adherents of
private release who are unlikely to relinquish their freedom of action.
3. The JCCBI has published a code of practice, Insect Re-establishment - a
Code of Conservation Practice, which is widely ignored. Procedures to
encourage people to submit notice of releases, let alone seek consultation
over proposed releases, have met with almost zero co-operation from the
general fraternity of those who are effecting private releases.
4. Now the conservation movement has taken butterfly conservation on
board, increasingly treating butterflies as high profile flagship species, there
is little excuse for individuals to act alone. Entomologists should be able to
achieve far more for butterflies by encouraging the conservation bodies by
working with them, rather than against them.
Invertebrate Conservation News, Vol. 16
(5)
5. Increasingly, the future of butterflies depends on a more detailed
understanding of their ecology and response to management. Surreptitious
or other unofficial releases can be disruptive and lead to the wrong
measures being adopted by the conservation bodies.
6. There are already examples of research being ruined by unannounced
releases, and this can happen one, two or three years into a project. After
all the time, effort and finance, how would you feel as the person doing the
research or responsible for the site? In one such classic case the research
had been funded by a conservation body. What message does that send?
What confidence can funding and grant-giving bodies have in their
continued support of butterfly research?
7. Many butterfly sites have their populations monitored. Very often one of
the objectives is to monitor the ability of the site to support butterflies. It is
essential to know the natural population levels and carrying capacity and, if
numbers are falling, to respond by adjusting the management. If someone
is quietly releasing butterflies, all may appear well until those releases stop.
Then suddenly, and too late, it is revealed that the habitat has become
unsuitable to support the resident population.
8. Uncontrolled releases could be of stock from anywhere. The conservation
movement is concerned that local stock should be used. There is an
increasing awareness that there are local genetic differences, at a
physiological level even if not in appearance. New techniques such as
genetic fingerprinting are likely to highlight further the desirability of
avoiding further confusion and uncertainty over the origin and nature of
populations.
9. Furthermore, it is a moot point whether Section 14 (1) (a) prohibits release
of foreign stock of species that are resident in Great Britain; it would need
a test court case to decide whether "animals of a kind" means not only
species, but also genetic forms (eg the release of foreign races of the
Swallowtail). Listing in Schedule 9 would close this loophole and would be
quite explicit under 14 (10) (b).
10. A great deal of effort goes into recording schemes at county and national
levels. Part of the objective is to repeat such activity at intervals in order to
understand the wildlife health of the countryside and the changes which are
occurring for better or for worse. There is little point if one is recording the
unnatural status of species resulting from unadmitted releases, sometimes
on sites that cannot naturally support the species anyway. Any conservation
message that action is necessary to prevent further decline of butterfly
. habitat in the countryside is obscured, weakened and perhaps lost.
11. Most of the Red Data Book and Notable Species occur predominantly on
reserves and other sites owned or managed by conservation bodies, or are
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) where the statutory conservation
(6)
February 1995
agencies have a responsibility. The concern is to protect and manage the
flora and fauna that naturally occur in such places. The presence of species
implies success in managing sites to maintain those species. Special
butterflies often require special management objectives and it is grossly
unfair if surreptitious release is giving the wrong messages about priorities
and management.
12. With freedom goes responsibility. The freedom or "right" to release
butterflies wherever one wishes has to be set against the freedom of the
conservation bodies to be free from the disruptive activities considered
above. What right has anyone to release butterflies on to someone else's
land without permission? If people are using freedom irresponsibly, then it
must be no surprise if legal controls become necessary.
13. The focus is on butterflies, since that is where the problem lies. If similar
concerns should arise with other taxa. the Schedule 9 mechanism can be
adopted.
Operation of licensing
1. The licensing authority would be the Department of the Environment
(DoE). acting on the advice of the statutory conservation agencies.
2. A licence would be considered only if it were supported by one or more of
the conservation bodies (eg county wildlife trust. National Trust etc.) and
indeed a leading society (or JCCBI) may also be appropriate backers. As a
matter of course, it would help to have the backing of the local officer for
the statutory agency, indeed essential if an SSSI were concerned.
3. It would need to be clear that the principles laid down in the JCCBI code
(or similar required code) were met. Key statements would need to include
what was to be released, how it would be done, habitat management
implications, the likelihood of success and plans for monitoring.
4. This proposal upholds the principle that release has a valid purpose, in
appropriate circumstances, and does not diminish the role of the amateur.
The means is offered to provide a legitimate route, working with the
conservation movement, whilst prohibiting irresponsible independent
action.
5. Research workers face additional bureaucracy in obtaining all the
permissions required, but this has to be offset against the current risk that
their research effort could be negated by a single unplanned release.
Providing that the statutory agencies are properly informed, as they should
be anyway, the mechanisms at office level ought to be easy to arrange.
6. There will be concern that there are too many inconsistencies and
uncertainties in the operation of Schedule 5 licences at DoE. There are
inherent problems from the wording of the Act. The Schedule 9 situation is
different, clear-cut rather than ambiguous, and easier to handle.
Invertebrate Conservation News, Vol. 16
(7)
Comments on this proposal are invited from all ICN readers, and will be
taken fully into account by the AES Conservation Committee and by the
Society's Representatives on the JCCBI when the time comes to vote on
the issue. The apparent failure of voluntary controls is particularly worth
examining.
AES Area Conservation Representatives in Britain
Martin Harvey, Habitat Conservation Officer
12 Cater Road, Lane End, High W\;combe, Buckinghamshire HP14 3JD.
At the time of writing we have five AES Area Conservation
Representatives, and their names are given below. If you have a local
conservation issue you wish to raise with an Area Representative, or if
you could offer him or her any help, please write to him or her enclosing
a SAE and giving your AES membership number. If you are interested in
becoming an Area Conservation Rep yourself please contact me for
further details.
Dave Hemingway
ISAshdene Garth, Crofton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF4 IPH.
Neil Jones
31 Drummau Road, Birchgroue, Swansea SA7 9QA.
Dr Helen Marcan
49 Red House Road, Bodicote, Banbury, Oxfordshire 0X15 4AZ.
Robert Partridge
11 New Road, Mepal, £/y, Cambridgeshire CB6 2AP.
Geoff Trevis
14 Old Coach Road, Droitwich, Worcestershire WR9 8BB.
Sites and Species of Interest
A specialised moth in Cornwall?
Dr F.N.H. Smith, writing in the Ministry of Defence conservation
magazine Sarictuary (No. 23, 1994), asks some interesting questions
about the very local pyralid moth, Apomyelois bistratiella neophanes,
which was found at the Penhale MoD training area, Cornwall in 1991. In
A Field Guide to the smaller British Lepidoptera, edited by A.M. Emmet,
the larval food source of this micro-moth is recorded as the fungus
Daldinia concentrica, growing on "dead birch, less often on gorse or other
plants, especially on burnt stems".
(8)
February 1995
Following the appearance of the moth in a light trap. Dr Smith
investigated the hillside above the trap site, where all the gorse had been
burnt two years earlier. On many of the larger chan^ed stumps, he found
numerous fruit bodies of D. concemrica which, as its common name ?ving
Alfred's cakes implies, look like balls of charcoal, several centimetres in
diameter. He found lan.'al frass around many of the fruiting bodies and
verified the presence of the moth by rearing some adults from one of the
stumps.
Dr Smith's obseivation at Penhale suggests that the moth's presence
there is dependent upon the availability of burnt gorse. which is of course
restricted to relatively infrequent periods. Birch, the other typical "host"
tree for the moth, is virtually absent at the site. The moth could not be
found at Penhale by 1992. by which tim.e fruit bodies of D. concentrica
had become hard to find. Dr Smith wonders whether the moth might be
able to follow the scent of burning gorse many miles distant, but this
question perhaps presumes too firmly that a burnt substrate is needed by
either the larvae or adults. This supposition is perhaps ruled out by the
fact that the host fungus is also used by the larvae when it fruits on
unburnt birch and other plants. The fungus is actually found most
commonly on ash trees, but it could be that ash tends to occur in biotopes
which are not suitable for some stage in the m.oth's life cycle.
Alternatively, perhaps, the species of host tree affects the quality of the
fungus as a larval food source.
Road schemes in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and
Northamptonshire
The Bedfordshire. Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust
has drawn attention to the many sites in its area that are threatened by
planned road building and widening schemes. Its September 1994 issue
shows a map of the region concerned, annotated with a summary of
potential damage at each site. Of the uventy-one sites, seventeen are
designated as nature reserves. SSSIs or county' wildlife sites. Some of the
main biotopes that would be affected are wetlands, chalk grassland and
woodlands, all of which are important for threatened invertebrate species.
Particular species mentioned by the Trust are the Black hairstreak at sites
along the Ml. for which widening is planned through Bedfordshire and
Northamptonshire, and the Small blue and Grizzled skipper at Badgers
Hill County Wildlife Site, which stands in the way of the proposed Luton
East Circular Road. North.
Invertebrate Conservation News, Vol. 16
(9)
Book Review
Insect Conservation Biology by M.J. Samways, Chapman & Hall, 1994,
xvi+358pp, ISBN 0 412 45440 8, hardback, £37.50.
The growing popularity of conservation in western countries has not been
matched by a public awareness of the nature and relative scale of the
damage that human activities inflict on different forms of wildlife.
Vertebrate taxa receive most of the attention, but this book assembles a
body of compelling evidence to show that the risk of extinction is greater
for insect species, not only because there are immensely more of them,
but also by virtue of their often exacting habitat requirements. The first
chapter illustrates the evolutionary adaption of insects to almost every
terrestrial ecosystem. The author draws on some interesting data; for
example in a survey of Seram rain forest, over half the estimated 43.3
million individual arthropods in one hectare were Collembola, reflecting
the importance of habitats in the soil. The very success of insects, which
has produced perhaps 10 million extant species, belies the vulnerability of
many species which are so closely adapted to geographically restricted
biotopes that even a slight change can wipe them out, often to the point
of total extinction. In the tropics, both the diversity of species and the
threats to them may seem to make British conservation issues pale into
insignificance. However, despite our relatively small insect fauna, our
ratio of species to land area appears to be surprisingly high by world
standards.
The remaining introductory chapters describe the many ways in which
insect habitats have been damaged, while also outlining the aims and
responsibilities of national and international organisations which seek to
ameliorate this loss. A central problem, which has a chapter of its own
later in the book, is the fragmentation of biotopes. This is less serious for
the relatively mobile animals, especially birds, whose requirements often
seem uppermost in the minds of those who influence conservation policy.
Fragmentation prevents species from re-colonising suitable sites following
chance local extinctions. In the longer term it could also prevent species
from keeping pace geographically with climatic change or other large-
scale events (as many did during past glaciations) . When fragmentation
and other problems are viewed in the context of tropical ecosystems,
current conservation efforts seem inadequate in scale and often
inappropriate in emphasis.
The author goes on to examine ways in which conservation could
become more effective by taking proper account of insect population
ecology. The ability of species to disperse in a fragmented landscape must
(10)
February 1995
be understood in order to determine the optimum size and shape of
reserves and the value of different types of "corridor" between otherwise
isolated habitats. He stresses the need to think about very small-scale
"micro-sites" within biotopes, which are essential for survival. Studies on
single species show that their different developmental stages and
sometimes the two sexes have greatly different micro-site requirements.
This does not necessarily mean that we must tinker with sites to help
favoured species, since a broader-brush management of the landscape
can achieve diversity in a way that is compatible with the economic use of
the land.
Although there are still places where the protection of natural
ecosystems is the main objective of conservation, there are many other
parts of the world where the sympathetic management of agricultural and
other "disturbed" land is important. The author describes systems of
"adversity agriculture" in which populations of vulnerable species can
often fall below a "minimum viable level", leading to local or even total
extinctions. This has happened even to former pest species such as the
Rocky Mountain grasshopper (Melanoplus spretus) in North America. The
risk of extinction is lower in "agroecology" systems, in which areas of
natural vegetation can support a high proportion of the local insect fauna
while serving as refugia for natural enemies of crop pests. There are,
however, no absolute rights and wrongs in agricultural methods. Burning,
for example, is very harmful to many species, but others depend upon it.
Similarly, although biological control is often a "green" alternative to the
use of chemical pesticides, it can be disastrous when the agents released
are able to persist and to attack non-target species.
The author looks at the pros and cons of "restoration ecology" and
concludes that it is worthwhile in some cases, as when trees are planted
for agroforestry in deforested tropical areas, or when herb-rich grassland
is re-established in temperate farmlands. Restoration strategies can be
helped by knowing the specific requirements of individual species, but the
most vulnerable species are usually less able to recolonise the restored
sites than widespread ones with greater tolerance of varied conditions.
Some of the vulnerable species get special attention and can be artificially
re-established, but the author sees this as the last resort.
The rate at which insect species are being lost worldwide, according to
one estimate quoted by the author, could be nineteen per hour over the
next thirty years. Such figures serve both to stimulate concern about
individual species and to emphasise that attempts to save a favoured few
cannot address a problem of such proportions. The need is for an
"umbrella" approach which can take account of both small-scale and
Invertebrate Conservation News, Vol. 16
(11)
large-scale elements of the landscape. To the extent that individual
species can be helped, there is a need to improve methods of assessing
their status; for example by recording the number of habitat sites per
10km square; not just mapping a dot for the entire square. Attention also
needs to be focused on species which are good indicators of diversity and
which can be recorded efficiently in site surveys, rather than on taxa
which happen to enjoy the most popularity. On a global scale, it is
important to identify the regions of "mega-diversity" and endemism
where efforts should be concentrated.
By concentrating on the biology behind conservation, this book helps
to identify the most urgent uses to which time and money should be
devoted. However, the author admits that such an analysis is not
supported by human attitudes towards insects, which often involve
taxonomic favouritism or hypocrisy, as exemplified by those who are less
aware of their own daily mass slaughter of insects than of the sadism of
pulling the wings off a fly. Governments that ignore the wider
conservation issues may pass laws to protect species against collecting or
trade, but the result is often a high black market price.
The book's extensive bibliography testifies to the great deal of work that
has gone into producing it. Its emphasis on fundamental issues and on
scientific evidence will complement other recent works which have
concentrated more on practical conservation. A subject like this is
intrinsically hard to divide into distinct sections, but there could perhaps
have been less overlap and repetition of ideas. It required a good index,
and the one provided here is certainly comprehensive, although it fails to
list all the entries for some important topics. The author's commitment to
the cause makes this much more than a dry academic treatise, but it will
perhaps be more useful to students, research workers and policy makers
than to the amateur conservationist. (Thanks are due to the British
Journal of Entomology and Natural History for permission to reproduce
this review here.)
Future Meetings
6-7th April 1995, London.
Conference on "Conserving Europe's Bees", Linnean Society of London/
International Bee Research Association.
(12)
February 1995
The four sessions are: (1) Habitat for bees. (2) Grappling with bee
diversity. (3) Do plants need bees? and (4) Competition in bee-plant and
bee-bee interactions. For further information contact:-
CONSERVING EUROPE'S BEES.
THE LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON. BURLINGTON HOUSE. PICCADILLY.
LONDON WIV OLQ.
22nd April 1995. Royal Entomological Society of London. 41 Queen's
Gate. SW7.
Amateur Entomologists' Society AGM and Members Day. Starting at
11am. All welcome. Talks and practical demonsti'ations will acoompany
the meeting. Guests are invited to bring along an exhibit. Please contact
Wayne Jarvis. 9a Brook Street. Luton. Bedfordshire LU3 IDS to book
space or for further information.
Letters
It should be noted that we received the following letter six years ago! It is
still topical, despite having been "held over"" while ICN was in the
doldrums, and so we are happy to publish it. The ICN item that sparked it
off expressed concern over the practice of removing dead trees to make
woodlands safer for the public . . .
Woodland Trust deadwood policy
from Pamela Harding.
Woodland Trust Legal & Information Officer.
I would like to respond to your item in the May 1988 issue of ICN
concerning the Woodland Trust and its approach to dead wood
habitats.
Almost all Woodland Trust properties are open to the public and
the Trust takes seriously its responsibilities towards visitors, which
includes the necessity of some tree safety' work. This aspect of the
Trust's management tends to be stressed in publicity material, perhaps
wrongly so. since in most Trust properties there will be many areas left
as non-intervention areas. In some woods dead wood habitats are
being created and extended by management work.
The item in question has picked up a few rather isolated examples
from the Trust's literature. I could quote to you an item on the back
page of the Trust's Newsletter 26 on the [1987] storm. "Fallen,
damaged or dead trees that are not actually dangerous have been left,
as rotting wood is a valuable habitat for fungi and insects'".
Invertebrate Conservation News, Vol. 16
(13)
In Newsletter 25, which reported on the storm on the front page,
there was a sub-heading "Dead Wood is Valuable" with a brief
explanation. These are just two examples.
The Woodland Trust aims to strike a balance between several
objectives, including conservation, in the management of its
properties. It also aims to educate the public about the need for
woodland management. The Trust believes that it is fulfilling these
roles more successfully than many other landowners and deserves
credit for doing so.
Adding species for legal protection
from Peter Tebbutt,
Abingdon, Northannptonshire.
ICN 15 somewhat surprised me with its statement (on page 5) that the
AES provides information etc that the JCCBI uses in its
recommendations on the quinquennial review of species protected by
law. If that is the case, then how come EVERYONE was astonished
that the High brown fritillary was added to the fully protected list and
that many of the restricted species are there only because of the
pressure that Butterfly Conservation now exerts. One of its recent
publications now makes it perfectly clear that it would like at least 25
species of butterfly to be totally protected. Unless we want to return to
our childhood days, when we kept just a few Large white caterpillars
in a jam jar, then the JCCBI with its representatives from the AES and
BENHS will have to bring in a better line of reasoning than they are
presently using, or the fanatical (and usually ill-informed) will succeed
in outlawing everything that most AES members enjoy doing (ie
collecting and breeding butterflies), with fines being dished out in all
directions. I do not wish to get really into this subject but I sincerely
hope that a good dose of common-sense prevails before our hobby is
completely ruined by unecessary regulations.
Editor's note: The AES and most other member-organisations of JCCBI give authority to
their councils to represent their interests. A more democratic arrangement might be
desirable, but would usually not be feasible, since in most instances, votes could not be
taken in time to respond to the issues in question. All we can do is to try harder to publicise
proposals to which society members may wish to respond. In the case of the High brown
fritillary, the JCCBI accepted evidence for serious decline. No-one submitted evidence to the
contrary, but perhaps too few people knew what was going on around committee tables.
CONTENTS
Editorial (1)
News, Views and General information (3)
Quinquennial Review of 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.
AES Area Conservation Representatives in Britain.
Sites and Species of Interest '. (7)
A specialised moth in Cornwall?
Road schemes in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.
Book Review (9)
Future Meetings (11)
Letters (12)
Woodland Trust deadwood policy.
Adding species for legal protection.
NOTICE
It is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or tlieories, expressed in the pages of this Journal
are solely those of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or
sought, requests for help or information, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Editor, the Officers and
Council of the Society, nor its Trustees, can be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that
might be sustained by reliance thereon.
© 1995. The Amateur Entomologists' Society.
(Registered Charity No. 267430)
All rights reserved.
Published 28th February 1995 by the Amateur Entomologists' Society
(Registered Charity No. 267430), from 4 Steep Close, Orpington, Kent BR6 6DS.
Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd., 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA.
FEBRUARY 1995
COLOUR SECTION
Fig. 5. Selection of cigarette cards from Wills (1938) "Butterflies & Moths".
Fig. 6. Selection of cards from Shell (Australia) (1962) "Beetle Series"
and Wills (1914) "Garden Life'.
PLATE 95C
COLOUR SECTION
FEBRUARY 1995
Fig. 7. Subdorsal spots similar to Fig. 1 (Ellis) but none on A6. Spiracular line spots anterior and
posterior to spiracles on Al to A8 and T2 and T3. Pigment around ocelli and at base of tail-horn.
Fig. 8. Details ot shapes and locations of subdorsal line spots (to rear of each segment) and
spiracular line spots (anterior and posterior to spiracle).
PLATE 95D
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
17
RAMBLINGS OF AN AGED CARTOPHILIC ENTOMOLOGIST
by D.O. King (9094)
Reproduced with permission of "Cigarette Card News".
As a small schoolboy in the early 1920s, a favourite way of passing break-
time (except of course in the conker season) was the game known as
"Flick", played with cigarette cards. Standing a given distance from a
wall, a contestant would lightly hold a card flat between fore and middle
fingers, and by a flick of the wrist launch it in flight towards the wall. The
player whose card ended up nearest the wall won the cards of all his less
adept (lucky?) competitors. The game did not do a lot for the corners of
the cards, nor for their general cleanliness, but no-one seemed to consider
this aspect - we did not realise what future treasures we were vandalising.
From an early age it was clear that I had inherited the trait of
invertebrate collector so prevalent in my mother's family, so it was
inevitable that I should latch on to cigarette cards as a suitable sphere of
activity. "Flick" was not much of a way to form a collection, not only
because of the sad state of most of the cards acquired, but also since, like
winnings at the gaming table, they could all be snatched away again
when you hit a losing streak. I began, then, cadging clean cards from
smoker relatives and friends (my father was tactless enough to prefer a
pipe and had to be cajoled into occasionally buying a packet of
cigarettes), and my collection was launched in earnest.
Another interest that made an early appearance was natural history,
though it did not embrace my father's love of wild flowers, a subject on
which he was very knowledgeable. I was encouraged in this by much
browsing through the six admirably illustrated volumes of The Royal
Natural Histori; among my father's books, backed up by our regular
Sundays two or three times a year at the London Zoo, which never failed
to include a visit to the Insect House. (In those days it seemed quite
natural to go and stare at creatures behind bars; one felt a fleeting
sympathy for them, especially the larger animals, in their restricted space,
but we were very far from developing the properly tender conscience of
today about the justification for zoos.)
My strong inborn collecting urge was difficult to apply to living things,
though for a year or two I did my best with a room full of tanks and cages
housing lizards, amphibians, fish and all sorts of life gathered from the
local ponds - there was one in a secluded corner of Sheen Common that
had a particularly rich community. Coming home from an early spring
expedition there, a school-fellow chanced to be at the far end of the
18
FEBRUARY 1995
crowded bus, and I recall causing some embarrassment to the other
passengers by loudly recounting to him my captures, and describing how
the female toads all carried a male tightly clasped on their backs. I
suppose I was about 11, and in the 1920s children were still innocent at
that age, and adults more easily shockable than today.
Butterflies and moths, however, were another matter - one could kill
and set them for permanent display in a cabinet, making them eminently
collectable. By the summer of 1922, my tenth year, butterfly net and
killing bottle were my constant companions, and my first junior six-drawer
cabinet was overflowing its contents into a second, rather superior if
second-hand, model. I can still remember the excitement during our
Swanage holiday that year of spotting, through the haze of white dust
thrown up by the pony and trap carrying us from Wool to visit Lulworth
Cove, a Clouded yellow flying by; the trap was halted and I jumped out
in pursuit - which ended in three quarters success, my over eager swipe
with the net having deprived the capture of one wing. So I had to set it in
the "at rest" position, showing the underside in my collection.
About the time I myself started, I discovered that an uncle was also a
collector. By great good fortune he lived in East Sheen, only a couple of
miles from my home in Putney (a tuppence bus ride, or penny half for me
- those were the days!) and we became regular companions in pursuit of
our hobby. He would often come over on a summer evening and we
would walk up Putney Park Lane - an unmade private road lined with
big elm and lime trees - to Putney Heath, scanning fences and tree trunks
for resting moths, for whose capture we carried a supply of pill-boxes.
Sometimes I would go to Sheen and we would take the towpath by the
river from Mortlake to Kew railway bridge; in September this was an
excellent place for Red underwings, at rest on willow trunks or the
stonework of the bridge. At other times we would go to Richmond Park or
Sheen Common, where I remember netting Ghost swifts in the twilight,
including one giant female with a wingspan half as big again as normal.
There were other outings besides the collecting ones. On one occasion
we took a train to Bexley to visit Newman's butterfly farm, and spent a
fascinating time being shown round by him. 1 believe his establishment
was then the only one of its kind. In the slack winter months we would
often go to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, wandering
through its many galleries and inevitably ending up poring over its
collections of butterflies and moths. My postcard collection contains sets
of exotic moths and exotic dragonflies bought there to remind me of
those visits.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
19
When items of equipment were wanted, be it pins, setting boards or
anytliing up to a new cabinet, it was always a joy to visit Watkins and
Doncaster's shop in the Strand. Guided by the sign of a Swallowtail
butterfly hanging out high up on the building, you would go through a
small doorway and up two narrow flights of stairs before pushing open
another door to find yourself in a collector's wonderland of cabinets and
specimens and all needful equipment great and small. It was impossible
just to buy what you had gone there for and leave - you simply had to
stay a while to look round this treasury, so much crammed into so little
space there was scarcely room to move.
My school from 1926 to 1930 was in Wimbledon, to which I cycled by
the road that skirted the Common on the right, the left side being lined by
large houses, giving two miles or more of fences on which with luck I
could spot in passing moths that were not well camouflaged, like the
Peppered, Mottled umber, Scarce umber. Spring usher and Dotted
border. Sometimes I would go home across the common itself, illegally
using the footpaths most of the way, and stopping to look for caterpillars
on the many young birch trees. In my last three summers there I looked
forward eagerly to the time of General School and Higher School
Certificate exams, when free days always cropped up, and my uncle and I
would set off with packed lunches for a full day out. On one such
occasion we went to Petworth, where we found the Wood white, Pearl-
bordered fritillary and White admiral. Most often we went by train to
Oxshott, where we explored heathland and pine woods rich in insects,
including the Bordered white, Latticed heath. Pine beauty and scores of
other species.
In 1927 my father, who was an architect, had a house built at
Swanage, where from 1928 we spent our holidays until his death in
November 1935. This meant that until I left school my mother and I were
able to spend all the Easter and long summer holidays there, my father
joining us at weekends and for such time as he could spare from work. It
was a splendid centre from which to explore the varied types of country
in the Isle of Purbeck, with all their differing insect life, and I never tired of
tramping around it, either on my own or with my parents, or best of all
with my uncle, who always came for a couple of weeks. Amongst many
others there were Graylings on the quarry land above the cliffs; Dark
green fritillaries, Chalkhill and Adonis blues on the Ballard Down;
Lulworth skippers in a grassy gully on Anvil Point; and Silver-studded
blues and Emperor moths on the heath behind Studland Bay with its
scattered pine trees (on one of which we once found a Pine hawk). As
well as these resident species, Purbeck provided a good landfall for
20
FEBRUARY 1995
immigrants, which in some years appeared in great numbers. I remember
clover fields alive with Clouded yellows and Painted ladies; ghostly
Convolvulus hawks dimly seen hovering in the dusk to feed from the
tobacco plants in our garden; and a Vestal, a Small mottled willow and a
few Bordered straws among dozens of species that came to my bedroom
light. These were times of nostalgically happy memory, though I should
except one year, the first after I had started work, when I chose to break
away from the former August and September restriction, and went in
June. This was a foolish move, because at that time (and until life in the
army cured me!) I was prone to hay fever, and would stand helplessly
and miserably sneezing uncontrollably in the dusty lanes lined by pollen-
laden hedges and verges.
In the early 1930s I twice spent a week at Wicken Fen. It was a delight
to see the Swallowtails around the flowers in the village gardens as well as
on the fen itself, and glimpse the brilliant flash of a Large copper darting
by. At night, the fen-keeper set up a floodlit sheet, to which swarms of
moths came. He knew his moths well, speaking of them all by their Latin
names, and eager to explain how to tell affinis from diffinis. It was a
wonderful experience.
As with the attitude towards zoos, collecting for mere pleasure in this
way was not frowned upon as it would be in these more enlightened and
conservation-conscious times. However, I had to discipline myself to a
non-hunting season in 1935 in order to concentrate on final accountancy
exams; this gave me thinking time to see the error of my ways, and my
cabinets received no further specimens thereafter. I kept the static
collection for another twenty-odd years, then regretfully decided its room
was more useful than its company and sold it. This was a pity as it turned
out, but I could not foresee that in the fullness of time there would be a
naturalist grandson who would have been glad to take it over.
Collecting was over but my interest in insects, and wildlife in general
continued. So when during the war the anti-aircraft regiment I had joined
was posted to Ceylon, I was delighted to find myself on a gunsite in a
jungle clearing near Trincomalee, where we stayed about nine months.
Insect life was abundant - not least the malaria-carrying mosquitoes
against which we fought a losing battle - observing and listing it all, and
trying my hand at sketching such as would remain still long enough was a
continual pastime. The listing was pretty useless as my ignorance
prevented identification of all these strange species; I bought a couple of
books when in Colombo, but they were of minimal help. My fellow
gunners all thought of me as mad, and one in particular, with no faith in
my judgement of what was safe, was always warning me with a worried
air that if I persisted in handling these creatures I should one day receive
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
21
a nasty sting or bite; in fact the worst I suffered was an occasional squirt
of noxious-smelling liquid from a plant bug. Maybe I was lucky!
After Ceylon we had a stint in North Africa, arriving in Egypt a few
days after the last of the Germans had been pushed out of the continent -
no complaint from me on that score! Our now mobile unit wandered
rather aimlessly to and fro across Libya for some time. We had a sort of
base camp by the ruins of Tobruk, of which I have two abiding memories:
the ecstatic welcome of a myriad of fleas awaiting us in the tents we were
to use, and the novel flavour of some of the cookhouse dishes, including
the revolting tea - the Germans having as their parting shot salted the
water supply. We finally settled on a gunsite on the beach east of Port
Said, where we stayed four months before our obvious superfluity as an
anti-aircraft unit resulted in our being broken-up for retraining as infantry
at the beginning of 1945. I myself ended up in Palestine, where I very
pleasantly saw out the last months of my war service. Those parts of the
Eastern Mediterranean I saw were a poor exchange from Ceylon for
nature study, but 1 continued to list, and occasionally draw, whatever
turned up, until in October I took ship for England and demobilisation.
But to return to the 1920s, my collection of butterflies and moths and
of cigarette cards were growing steadily side by side, each independent of
the other and I had no thought of their ever doing otherwise. New series
of cards I welcomed whatever the subject, from railway engines or ships
to film stars or even cricketers ("even" because I was in no way a sporting
child and my presence in my prep school XI could only be accounted for
by there being so few boys to pick from). As may be imagined, there was
an added warmth in my greeting of Players 50 "Natural History" in 1924;
these were mainly of animals, with a few birds. Real delight, however,
came with the link-up of my two interests in 1927, when my first series of
butterfly cards began to appear and were avidly collected; this was Wills
50 "British Butterflies" boldly drawn and well coloured specimens in the
"set" position on pale plain backgrounds.
In 1932 Players came up with 50 "Butterflies" (20 of which were
British), the fully spread specimens extremely well painted and set on a
white background that included delicate small sketches of foodplant and
sometimes a butterfly in natural pose. Two years later a set of 25 large
cards entitled "British Butterflies" was issued, consisting of the twenty
British from the small set (with part of the background sketches cut off
because of the squarer shape of the cards) and five other species added,
in the same style.
In 1938 Wills produced a series of 40 large cards entitled "Butterflies
and Moths", another excellent production of set specimens photographed
against plain pale backgrounds (Plate 95C Fig. 5).
22
FEBRUARY 1995
Players and Wills were so overwhelmingly the most widely smoked
cigarettes (among the people known to me) that I rarely saw cards from
other brands. Two series I did not acquire until many years later were
Godfrey Phillips's 1923 set of 25 "British Butterflies", photographs on
black backgrounds (re-issued by Abdulla in 1935 for export), and Lea's
untitled set of 30 butterflies and moths, mostly British, of c. 1924, printed
on silk backed with paper and consisting of 12 slightly larger than
standard small size, 12 large and 6 extra-large cards.
All the sets so far mentioned had the perhaps inevitable drawback that
in order to fill the card space each species was depicted in the same size;
so a Small blue, for instance, was blown up to equal a sadly shrunken
Purple emperor. This can be confusing to the non-expert, especially as
the card text often fails to mention the natural size. Lea's three-size issue
went some way towards overcoming this, but for some odd reason one of
the extra-large layout was picked for the Jersey tiger, giving it an even
greater wingspan than the Death's head hawk!
One of two other series missed by me at the time was issued in 1924
by Adkin (of whom 1 had never heard); this was 50 "Butterflies and
Moths", an excellent set that differed from the rest in that in addition to
the perfect insect each card showed the caterpillar and foodplant as part
of a well illustrated background. Sadly, I still only have about two-thirds
of the set. The other missed series did not appear until 1938, a set of 48
"Butterflies and Moths" from Gallaher. The insects are shown against a
background of appropriate flowers or leaves, but the overall effect to me
falls short of excellence; however, the set has the merit of giving moths, at
half the cards, a better than usual share of coverage, including species
usually neglected. One odd thing is that the card for the Wood white
bears the picture of a Green-veined!
The coming of the 1939-45 war put a stop to the issue of cigarette
cards for the duration, and though the tobacco companies intended to
resume when it was over, this hope was not fulfilled in any general way.
Players and Wills now only pack cards (larger than of old) with their
cigars. In 1983 Players issued in Grandees a set of 32 "British Butterflies"
- nature photographs taken from "The Complete Guide to British
Butterflies" by Margaret Brooks and Charles Knight.
The tradition of the standard small card was continued by several tea
and other trading companies. Brooke Bond issued their first series in
1954, and have since kept up a flow of generally well produced sets. In
the present context one may note 50 "British Butterflies" (1963) and 50
"Butterflies of the World" (1964).
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
23
Insects of orders other than Lepidoptera have received little card
coverage. They are definitely the poor relations, losing out to the more
general appeal of the others. (In my insect-collecting days it was rather
the same story; in course of time I did extend my field beyond
Lepidoptera to include the other orders, but they only mustered a small
representation.) In 1962 Shell (Australia) issued a set of 60 medium sized
cards entitled "Beetle Series" (Plate 95C Fig. 6) - the only one I know of
to deal with one particular order. For the rest they are only to be found in
ones and twos in a number of more general series, which usually also
include some butterflies and moths. The fullest selection I know is in
Wills's 1914 set of 50 "Garden Life" (Plate 95C Fig. 6), which deals
exclusively with invertebrates (mostly those the gardener would prefer not
to have). This is a good series, showing the various stages of
metamorphosis of the subjects. As well as the Large white and nine
species of moths, 27 other insects appear; most of the moths have the
merit of being species not often pictured - like the Cabbage moth and
"micros" whose larvae feed on fruit.
In 1924 Lambert and Butler produced 25 "Wonders of Nature", which
showed antlion, leaf-rolling beetle, scarab, leaf insect, praying mantis,
stick insect, spider-hunting wasp, mason wasp, and army worm fly. In
1930 Churchman issued 25 "Nature's Architects", amongst which were
depicted leaf-cutting bee, Lackey moth larva, psyche moth, termite, and
tree wasp. Wills's admirable four general knowledge series of 50 "Do You
Know" all contained cards on insects of some sort: honey bee,
butterfly/moth distinction, field cricket, and great green grasshopper
(1922); privet hawk and house fly (1924); bookworm beetle, clothes
moth and woodworm beetle (1926); and dragonfly (1933).
In recent years Brooke Bond have issued a number of nature series,
four including some insects. So have Players and their successor
Winterman in Grandees; the larger format of these cards allowed better
use of nature photography by such experts as Heather Angel, while the
texts placed increasing emphasis on conservation needs - non-existent on
pre-war cards. Again, four series included insects, with Lepidoptera as
usual perhaps holding rather more than its own in what is still a good
range of other orders. The relevant details from the sets of both issuers
are listed below.
Brooke Bond
1980-40 "Woodland Wildlife"
Stag beetle, damselfly, Lobster moth larva, Privet hawk larva, Buff-tip
larva, Bordered white, Small tortoiseshell.
24
FEBRUARY 1995
1981 - 40 -Small Wonders"
Honey bee pollen baskets, butterfly proboscis. Ennperor moth
antenna, cranefly balancers, tree hopper, fritillary butterfly wing
scales. Privet hawk laiva prolegs. cuckoo spit, horse fly. Silkworm,
wasp, aphid.
1985 - 40 "Incredible Creatures""
Leaf-cutting ant. atlas moth, false-headed butterfly.
1990 - 25 "A Journey Downstream""
Emperor dragonfly.
Players/Winterman (Grandees)
1987 - 30 "Britain's Nocturnal Wildlife"
Lacewing. Elephant hawk. White plume moth, caddisfly. stag beetle,
cockchafer, mosquito, oak bush cricket.
1988 - 30 "Britain's Wayside Wildlife"
Yellow-tail larva. Figure-of-eight larva. Oak eggar. Magpie. Small
tortoiseshell and larvae, common scorpionfly. great green bush
cricket, meadow grasshopper. Brimstone butterfly and larva. Orange-
tip. Hedge brown (Gatekeeper), hoverflies. black-tipped soldier
beetle, variable long-horn beetle, thick-legged flower beetle.
1991 - 30 "Disappearing Rain Forest"
Leaf-curting ant. termites, various butterflies drinking from a damp
patch of ground, clearwing butterfly, stick insect, katydid.
1992 - 30 "Wonders of Nature""
Monarch. Australian plague locust. Puss moth larva, wasp beetle.
Note: The pre-war sets mentioned are of course far from exhaustive.
being only those that have come to my notice.
News
NATIONAL PYRALID RECORDING SCHEME LAUNCHED
A National Pyralid Recording Scheme has recently been launched. The
first newsletter, which contains full details of how to contribute to the
scheme, is available from Tony Davis. The Rangers House. Cricket Hill
Lane. Yateley. Cambedey. Surrey GUI 7 7BB. A SAE would be greatly
appreciated.
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
25
Ml
60 YEARS OF THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY
Part I: 1935-44
by V^ayne Jaruis (9899)
Over the next six issues of the Bulletin I intend to take a brief look back at
just a small number of the articles which we have received over the years.
This first part looks at the first ten years of the Society, during which time
the Bulletin took many forms.
In August 1935, the Society, then known as the Entomological
Exchange and Correspondence Club, six members strong, produced its
first publication, The Journal of the Entomological Exchange and
Correspondence Club Vol. 1 which consisted of 13 duplicated parts
issued over a period of 18 months. By the end of the Society's first year,
membership had grown to 44, at which time our founder, L.R. Tesch,
was forced to relinquish his part in the affairs. His resignation letter may
be found in Volume 1, Number 9 (June 1936) (reproduced in the Golden
Jubilee reprint of The Journal of the Entomological Exchange and
Correspondence Club Volume 1 (1985)). The editorship and general
running of the Society was then taken over by Beowulf Cooper and A.N.
Brangham. Mr Cooper remained with the Society as Editor well into the
second decade of the Society. Under them, Volumes 2 and 3 saw the
Society's journal produced as The Entomologists' Bulletin by the renamed
Amateur Entomologists' Society. These volumes were enlarged and
enclosed with a tinted cover. A further change occurred for Volume 4
(1939). This volume appeared under the name The Amateur
Entomologist and was commercially printed. Initially, this contained short
articles, queries and such like, but it soon became the practice that a
whole volume of the journal was devoted to a particular subject area,
thus giving birth to the Society's Handbooks. At this time the Bulletin was
separated, and also commenced, somewhat confusingly with Volume 4
issue 32 „
26
FEBRUARY 1995
The outbreak of the Second World War obviously had an enormous
effect upon the Society. In September 1939, the Society formed the
temporary Wartime Organisation with £5 from the Society's funds. The
Society would remain quiescent until such time as all hostilities ceased
and a Special General Meeting of all pre-war council members could be
held. The production of all journals stopped, but contact with members
was maintained by the production of Wartime Exchange Sheets, which
comprised Volume 5 (1940-44).
All of these issues were duplicated, almost all being done by one or two
members of the Society's Committee, on the Society's own machine.
Membership by this time had reached 256 (Wartime Exchange Sheet No.
16). The first commercially printed Bulletin was produced in August
1944, with Volume 6 number 64. These issues were printed without
covers, and to allow for permanent storage, each volume was issued with
a wrap-around cover in thicker paper. This practice continued until
Volume 21 (1962) after which the Bulletin was issued quarterly, without
an annual wrapper. Membership by end of 1944 had risen to 394.
There follows a very small selection of the articles printed from
Volumes 1 to 6.
From Volume 1, Number 1, August 1935. Page 2.
NOTES
It is not expected that this number can contain very much under this
heading, but the following have come to hand:
The common elder has, at night been found to attract moths in
considerable numbers, even when adjacent honeysuckle and gardens
have been comparatively untenanted. Those who use any acetylene lamp
might bear this in mind.
The Lulworth skipper is reported to be unusually frequent in the
Weymouth district, while the Clouded yellow, occasionally moderately
common there, has not been seen. A scarcity of Clifden [Adonis] and
Chalkhill blues from the same locality is also reported.
Near Bridgwater, Privet hawk and Eyed hawk larvae have been found.
One member was fortunate in finding four Pine hawks a month or so
ago, a red letter day indeed. Incidentally, he is very anxious to track
down the Purple emperor, and would be grateful for any news of his
majesty's present, or reputed headquarters.
Graylings are very abundant on the hills behind Cranleigh, Surrey,
flying round the many gravel and sand pits there.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
27
From Volume 1, Number 11, September 1936. Page 7.
A NEW FOODPLANT OF THE HOLLY BLUE {CELASTRINA
ARGIOLUS)?
Mr Capener sends the following note on the Holly blue butterfly :-
"I have just seen {17th August, 1936) a female ovipositing on the calyces
of a shrub in the gardens here [Weymouthl. The name sounds like
"Clewtia" (but the gardener didn't know how to spell it) . I am enclosing a
seed-pod and flower - perhaps you know it? The leaves are very much
like laburnum. A new foodplant? The shrub grows well and would be an
ornament to any garden, so perhaps it will come into favour amongst
those who bred this species instead of the usual holly-ivy combination."
Mr Cooper [Hon. Secretary at the timel has established the identity of
this plant as undoubtedly being a species of Cassia, commonly known as
the bladder senna. Since there are one or two plants of this in Mr
Capener's district, he will be pleased to send ripe seed pods of this to
anyone desirous of growing this shrub as an experiment. Meanwhile, we
hope Mr Capener will breed the ova he saw laid, and in due course
report to us whether he considers this pabulum suitable, or merely a
chance mistake on the part of the parent butterfly.
From Volume 2, Number 16, May 1937. Page 42.
THE EFFECT OF COLD ON THE HABITS OF ANTS
by D.J. Billes
A few experiments have indicated that cold dulls the warlike activities of
ants. This is particularly noticeable in their attitude towards other
individuals of the same species.
A queenless colony of Lasius (Acanthomi^ops) flavus was introduced
into a nest containing a single fertile female. There was no brood present.
To my great surprise the workers clustered around the queen and she was
accepted. Previously in the summer I had tried to introduce a queen with
no success, all being killed, although they had been isolated for some
time. The colony is now living in warmer quarters, but the workers have
not changed their attitude towards the queen.
Similarly with Lasius niger, when two workers with the brood of a dead
queen were joined with a queen and one worker with no brood from
another nest. In the summer the two workers attacked any queen I placed
with them. The new queen now helps to look after the brood and the
three workers do likewise, showing no signs of animosity.
28
FEBRUARY 1995
To test this still further, I obtained a single worker of Formica rufa and
placed it in a colony containing two females and a few workers. The
single worker, very annoyed, attacked the workers of the colony at first,
but later settled down and now cannot be distinguished from the others.
This conduct is certainly very unusual as the colony and the worker were
obtained from nests widely separated. This experiment could be extended
by placing a worker of the same nest among the colony in summer to see
what effect it might have. Experience has shown, however, that they will
attack members of their own colony as well as from other nests.
From Volume 3, Number 24, March 1938. Page 19.
IMPORTED BEETLE
bijS.C. Wincott
On Friday, 23rd July, [1937] in the Charing Cross Road, London, I saw
two ladies examining a large beetle which was crawling across the
pavement. From a distance, the creature looked like a large stag beetle,
but on close examination it proved to be a foreign species of a type which
I could not recollect seeing before. I pocketed the insect and took it home
wrapped in a handkerchief. The beetle fed on sugar and water and lived
just two days. I later took it to the Natural History Museum, and Mr Arrow
identified it as one of the rhinoceros beetles from Jamaica, Strategus
titanus, specimens of which are not infrequently brought into this country
in consignments of bananas. The insect in question had probably strayed
from Covent Garden market.
The September 1939 Bulletin (Vol. 4 No. 38) began with an editorial
thus:
Dear Fellow Members,
Owing to this country having become engaged in war, further journals.
Bulletins, and other AES communications will be suspended until such
times as members of the Committee are again free to give their services to
the Society. Funds will remain untouched until the cessation of hostilities,
and the Society property will be stored as securely as possible. It is hoped
that members will carefully preserve their membership lists and keep in
contact with one another so that, on the resumption of our activities, the
tracing of members who may have moved may be accomplished
satisfactorily. We wish all members the best that fortune can provide, and
hope that they will be able to keep their interest in amateur entomology
alive wherever they may be. May it be soon that our next Bulletin be
published!
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
29
From Volume 5, Number 61. (Wartime Exchange Sheet No. 21.)
February 1944.
S.M. Hanson (320), at present serving with the FL^F in North Africa,
writes as follows of a spot at which he was stationed in the desert in
Tunisia:
'Vanessa cardui (Painted lady). Quite rare until 29.9.43, when the first
thunderstorm broke: immediately after this fresh males emerged
everywhere, but it was not until 5.10.43, when another thunderstorm
occurred, that females were on the wing. Specimens before the above
dates were very worn and only found locally as odd ones, and gave the
appearance of having been on the wing for a considerable period. There
was no sign of the habit one sees in England of patrolling over a certain
stretch of ground, and they would only linger about one place if a
crushed pomegranate was put on the ground, whereon the butterflies
become stupid and can be picked off with ease. So far I have found no
trace of either nettle or burdock - perhaps these plants appear during the
winter months (November - March), as the ground the rest of the time is
hard, sandy and parched. Rain, which usually occurs with great
suddenness, always causes the specimens to seek immediate shelter, but
owing to lack of houses, trees or shrubs, they generally fly round and
round in the thunderstorm without any prospect of finding cover. After
5th October, numbers increased with great rapidity and by the 10th
specimens were everywhere, apparently assembling for migration. By the
13th very few remained, and, at the time of writing (1st November), the
scarcity of the species compares with the numbers before 28th
September. The appearance and size differs in no way from English
specimens and they are equally bright on the upperside, with a generous
orange flush which appears to be lost after a few days' flight."
From Volume 6, Number 64, August 1944. Page 3.
PUDDLE ATTRACTION
by S.M. Hanson (320)
During the first week of July 1941, when a dry spell of weather was in
progress, a favourite wood of mine in Surrey was swarming with White
admirals (Limeintis Camilla) and it was possible to see as many as six or
more at a time, all flying low. The interesting thing was that on the side of
a small road which went through the wood a puddle had remained
throughout the dry season; this was alive with butterflies flying around the
puddle and apparently drinking from it. Many specimens were settling on
30
FEBRUARY 1995
Umbelliferous flowers, especially Angelica s}^'lvesiris. and it was possible lo
see three or four at one flower-head, while other White admirals were
settled on the tarred road. The following week, however, there were
many showers: as a resuh. all the White admirals tlew high in the normal
way and were distributed all over the wood and no longer in the
immediate viciniti.- of the road near the puddle.
Breaking up ran on a groundshee: Ln search of beetle larvae -
a bug-hunier never lacks companionship.
Canoon taken fi'om Volumie 6 Number 64. August 1944.
CORRECTION TO BULLETIN 53 NUMBER 397
Beuveen submission and publication, the address of the Hampshire
Wildlife Tmst given in Justin Evans's article on page 226 has changed.
The address in the last paragraph should now read: The Hampshire
Wildlife Trust. 8 Romsey Road. Eastleigh. Hampshire SO50 9AL. Tel:
(01703^ 613636.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
31
Abbreviations
BEHNS
LCES
RES
RES(QG)
Diary Dates
British Entomological and Nature History Society.
Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
Royal Entomological Society of London.
RES Rooms, 41 Queen's Gate, London SW7.
Information from:
To make the diary effective contributions are needed from members. Any relevant
items should be sent to the Bulletin Editor. No charge is made for entries. Please
allow three months advance notice.
MARCH
1st Inventorying the Worlds Insect Fauna.
RES(QG) Tea 16.30hrs. Meeting 17.00hrs. Talk by Dr Nigel Stork about
how much, or how little, progress has been made in the last few hundred
years to describe the insect fauna, and its distribution, of Britain and the
rest of the world.
I: RES 0171 584 8361.
3rd AES Council Meeting.
Westminster Central Halls. IS.SOhrs.
4th Biology and Information of Spider Wasps with Particular Reference
to the British Fauna.
RES North Region and LCES meeting. Museum Information Centre,
Liverpool Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool.
I: Stephen Judd 0151 207 0001.
5th Reptila '95.
Reptile and Insect Fair at Stockport Town Hall, Cheshire.
lO.OOhrs - 17.00hrs. Admission £2.
I: Steve Howard 0161 429 7794 (or 0161 430 2631 after 7pm).
18th LCES 118th Annual Exhibition.
Woolston Leisure Centre, Warrington, Cheshire. IS.OOhrs. - 17.00hrs.
I: Steve McWilliam 01928 573697.
An Introduction to Hymenopteran Families with Special Reference
to the Aculeates.
BEHNS (Workshop) Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst,
Reading. lO.SOhrs. - 16.00hrs.
I: Dr Ian Mclean, Indoor Meetings Secretary, 109 Miller Way,
Brampton, Huntingdon PE18 8TZ.
32
FEBRUARY 1995
21st Medically Important Insects.
LEGS. Liverpool Museum. 19.00hrs.
26th Leicestershire Spring Entomological Fair.
Granby Halls Leisure Gentre, Aylestone Road, Leicester.
lO.SOhrs. - 16.30hrs. Admission £1 & 50p.
I: Jack Harris 01455 846310.
APRIL
5th How Insects Taste their Food.
RES(QG) Tea 17.00hrs. Meeting 17.30hrs. I: RES 0171 581 8505.
6th-7th Conserving Europe's Bees.
Symposium to be held in London, organised by the IBRA and Linnean
Society.
I: International Bee Research Association, 18 North Road, Cardiff
CFl 3DY.
8th The National Network for Recording Britain's Moths: The Wax;
Forward.
BENHS (Workshop) Dinton Pastures Gountry Park, Davis Street. Hurst,
Reading. lO.SOhrs. - 16.00hrs.
\: Dr Ian Mclean, Indoor Meetings Secretary, 109 Miller Way,
Brampton, Huntingdon PE18 8TZ.
Earlx; Butterflies and Moths at Homefield Wood, near Marlow,
Buckinghamshire.
Joint AES/Butterfly Gonservation/BBONT meeting. Meet at entrance to
Homefield Wood (SU814867) at 11am for approximately 2 hours.
I: Martin Harvey 01635 550380 (work) or 01491 628364 (home -
may change prior to April). N.B. This meeting will not go ahead if
the weather is bad, please contact Martin in advance.
1 1th The Species Recovery Programme Field Cricket Project.
Tea 16.00hrs. meeting 16.30hrs.
I: Dr Ian Mclean, Indoor Meetings Secretary, 109 Miller Way,
Brampton, Huntingdon PE18 8TZ,
18th A Day in the Life of a Curator.
LGES meeting presented by Liverpool Museum Entomological Staff.
Liverpool Museum 19.00hrs.
22nd AES Annual General Meeting.
At the RES, 41 Queen's Gate, London.
I: Wayne Jarvis 01582 485820.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
33
24th Save our Bugs!
Wycombe Urban Wildlife Group. Illustrated talk by Martin Harvey on
conserving butterflies, moths and other invertebrates. Follows WUWH
AGM, Bassetsbury Manor Countryside Centre, High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire.
I: WUWG 01494 536930.
29th Identifying Ants.
BENHS (Workshop) Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst,
Reading. lO.SOhrs. - 16.00hrs.
I: Dr Ian Mclean, Indoor Meetings Secretary, 109 Miller Way,
Brampton, Huntingdon PE18 8TZ.
MAY
3rd Medical and Veterinary Special Interest Group lecture.
Title to be arranged. RES(QG) Tea 17.00hrs. Meeting 17.30hrs.
I: RES 0171 581 8505.
7th Durham Entomological Fair.
Equestrian Centre, Stag Lane, Newton Aycliffe, Darlington. lO.OOhrs. -
16.00hrs. Admission 50p all.
I: James Houlihan 01388 721449 or 720503.
10th RES East Region Meeting.
Broom's Barn Experimental Station.
I: Dr R.C. Welsch, ITE, Monk's Wood Experimental Station, Abbotts
Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE17 2LS.
14th Entomological Livestock Group Spring Entomological Fair.
Pattishall Parish Hall, Pattishall, Towcester. ll.OOhrs. - 16.00hrs.
Admission £1 & 50p.
I: Paul Batty 01909 550272.
JUNE
4th Creepy Crawly Show IV.
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham. 12.00hrs - 17.00hrs.
Admission £1 & 50p.
I: Oldham Museum 0161 678 4649.
7th RES Annual Meeting and President's Invitation Lecture.
RES(QG). Tea IV.OOhrs. Meeting 17.30hrs.
I: RES 0171 581 8505.
BRITISH ENTOMOLOGICAL
AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Registered charity number: 213149
Founded in 1872, the Society holds regular lecture meetings in London and the well-
known ANNUAL EXHIBITION will be held at Imperial College, London SW7, on Saturday
28th October 1995; this will be followed by the ANNUAL DINNER.
The Society maintains a library and collections at its headquarters at Dinton Pastures,
which is open to BENHS members at various times each fortnight. Frequent field
meetings are held at weekends in the summer. Visitors are welcome at all meetings.
The current programme card can be had on application to: the Secretary: R.F. McCormick,
36 Paradise Road, Teignmouth Devon TQU 8NR.
The Society publishes British Journal of Entomology and Natural History, a quarterly
journal of entomological articles, short communications, meeting reports, book reviews,
etc. The Journal is free to BENHS members. For a sample copy contact: the Editor,
Richard A. Jones, 13 Bellwood Road, Nunhead, London SE15 3DE. Tel: 0171-732 2440.
Fax: 0171-277 8725.
The Society has published several books including: A field guide to the smaller British
Lepidoptera, edited by A.M. Emmet (288pp, paperback £18, hardback £22.50, - £1.80
p.&p.); British hoverflies: an illustrated identification guide, by A.E. Stubbs and S.J.
Falk (270pp, 12 col. plates, hardback, recently reprinted, £26 - £2.80 p.&p.i. BENHS
members qualify for special discounted prices.
For further details contact:
the Sales Secretary: R.D. Hawkins, 30d Meadowcroft Close, Horley, Surrey RH6 9EL.
For membership application details contact:
the Membership Secretary: A. Godfrey, 10 Moorlea Drive, Baildon, Shipley,
West Yorkshire BD17 6QL
BEE
RESEARCH
ASSOCIATION
MICROSCOPES
^ Specialist suppliers of stereo
microscopes and compound
microscopes for Entomology
studies.
18 NORTH ROAD
CARDIFF
CFl 3DY
All instruments suitable for
photography and drawing
attachments.
* Large stocks of used
laboratory instruments.
* Books, slides, stains, equip-
ment - the complete service.
For Scientific and Technical
information on Bees (Apoidea)
especially Honeybees (ApisSP).
* Telephone helpline for
enquiries and viewing
appointments
30 page illustrated catalogue
(Stamp appreciated'. A
0272 591551
Please write to the aboxe address for
derails of publications and membership.
A specimen copy of "Bee World" is
obtainable for 50p.
BRUNEL MICROSCOPES LTD
Dept. AES, 113 Henbury Road
Bristol BSIO 7AA
open until 10pm daily.
Mdlands
Entomological
Fair
Qranby Halls, Leicester
Sunday 26th March 1995
10.30am - 4.30pm
Admissions £1.00 Adults - 50p under sixteens
All major dealers and groups in attendance.
Everything for the enthusiast.
Livestock - papered and set specimens.
Books and periodicals
Collecting and breeding equipment.
Large herpetology section.
Approximately 70 stands altogether.
Enquiries:
Telephone Jack Harris, 01455 846510
Bar and Refreshments. Plenty of free parking.
Diary note: Christmas Fair 3rd December 1 995.
A NEW REPRINT FROM THE
AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY
PRACTICAL HINTS FOR THE FIELD LEPIDOPTERIST by J.W.Tiitt
Written in three parts at the turn of the century, this book has been reprinted
because it still represents the most comprehensive field guide covering both
macro and microlepidoptera. Parts I to III all give a month by month guide to
which species and stages to look for and how to find them. Part III also contains
an extensive biological account of the early stages and how to keep, rear and
describe them. 422 pages. Hardback. (Reprinted 1994). A separate supplement
has been prepared which cross-references old to current scientific names and the
English names of the species covered. Total price only £21.00.
OTHER TITLES AVAILABLE FROM THE A.E.S. INCLUDE
Habitat Conservation for Insects - A Neglected Green Issue
(Hardback 262 pages, 15 figures+ 32 pages colour plates) £12.00
A Lepidopterists Handbook (136 pages, 32 figs, 13 plates) £7.50
Breeding the British Butterflies (60 pages, 6 figures, 5 plates) .... £3.95
Breeding the British and European Hawkmoths (56 pages) £3.95
Practical Hints for Collecting and Studying
Microlepidoptera (40 pages, 1 1 figures) £3.40
An Amateurs Guide to the Study of the Gentalia of Lepidoptera ( 1 6pp ) . £2.35
A Silkmoth Rearers Handbook (Hardback, 225pp + 32 colour
plates showing 74 photographs of larvae and adult moths) £13.75
Killing, Setting and Storing Butterflies and Moths (19 pages) .... £2.85
The Study of Stoneflies, Mayflies and Caddis Flies (44 pp, 10 figs.) . . £3.40
Collecting and Studying Dragonflies (24 pages, 12 figs, 2 plates) . . . £2.35
The Hymenopterists Handbook (226 pages, illustrated) £8.50
Revised Fhght Tables for the Hymenoptera (24 pages) £2.00
A Coleopterists Handbook (Hardback, 300 pages, illustrated) . . . . £15.50
Host plants of British Beetles (24 pages) £2.00
A Dipterists Handbook (260 pages, illustrated) £9.50
Rearing and Studying Stick and Leaf-Insects (73 pp. 43 figs. 17 plates) . £5.00
Rearing and Studying the Praying Mantids (22 pages, 9 plates) .... £2.85
Rearing Crickets in the Classroom (12 pages. 2 plates) £1.80
All the above publications sent post free to U.K. addresses. Outside U.K. please
add 10% to order value for postage by surface mail. For postage by air-mail
outside Europe please add 30% to order value.
Please make all cheques/postal orders payable to 'AES Publications' and send to:
AES Publications. The Hawthorns, Prating Road, Great Bromle>'.
COLCHESTER C07 7JN. Telephone 0206 251600
AES ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Saturday 22nd April 1995
at the Royal Entomological Society of London, 41 Queen's Gate
HOW TO GET THERE
There is no car parking facility at the R.E.S. and it is therefore strongly advised that public
transport is used.
By Train: The nearest mainline station is London Victoria from which the under-
ground or bus systems should be used.
By Underground: South Kensington Station is served by Piccadilly, Circle and District
Line trains.
By Bus: The following services serve the area:
To South Kensington Station
14 Putney Heath, Fulham, South Kensington. Piccadilly. Tottenham Court Road.
45A Peckham, Camberwell, Brixton. Stockweii, Clapham, Battersea. South Kensington.
49 Shepherds Bush, High Street Kensington, South Kensington, Clapham Junction.
70 South Kensington, Notting Hill Gate, Acton. (Travels along Queen's Gate).
74 Baker Street, Marble Arch, South Kensington, High Street Kensington.
To Queen's Gate
9 Aldwych, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly, High Street Kensington, Hammersmith.
9A Kensington, Hammersmith, Mortlake.
10 Hammersmith, Kensington, Marble Arch, Oxford Circus. Tottenham Court Road. Euston,
Kings Cross.
52 Victoria, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove, Wilsden.
Victoru and
Albert Museum
outh Kensington Tube
(Picca<lilly, Grde and District Unes)
CONTENTS
T.B. Larsen. Butterflies in Kakum National Park, Ghana. Part I.
Papilionidae, Pieridae and Lycaenidae. 3
L. Piaster. Rajah Brooke flits to the big city. 9
HA. Elhs. The red-spotted form of the Poplar hawkmoth larva. 11
M. Bailey. The good, the bad and the indifferent - moth numbers in Avon.
1989-1994. 14
D.O. King. Ramblings of an aged cartophilic entomologist. 17
W. Jarvis. 60 years of the Amateur Entomologists' Society. Part I.
1935-1944. 25
Short communications
J. Koryszko. The ladybird, the weevil and the cola bottle. 8
Editorial 1
Index to Volume 53 13
News 24
Correction to Bulletin 53 Number 397 30
Diary dates 31
NOTICE
It is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theories, expressed in the pages of this Journal
are solely those of the author{s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or
sought, requests for help or information, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Editor, the Officers and
Council of the Society, nor its Trustees, can be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that
might be sustained by reliance thereon.
© 1995. The Amateur Entomologists' Society.
(Registered Charity No. 267430)
All rights reserved.
Published 28th February 1995 by the Amateur Entomologists' Society
(Registered Charity No. 267430). from 4 Steep Close. Orpington. Kent BR6 6DS.
Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd.. 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood. Essex CM14 4TA.
s. S6 A
ISSN 0266-836X
%9 '^>^'^
Volume 54, No. 399, April, 1995
The Bulletin
of the Amateur
Entomologists'
EDITOR
WAYNE JARVIS BSc.
The Amateur Entomologists^ Society
Founded in 1935
President:
Secretary;:
Treasurer:
Registrar:
Bulletin Editor:
General Editor:
Advertising Secretary:
Exhibition Secretary^:
Youth Secretary;:
ICN Editor:
Wants & Exchange:
Habitat Conservation Officer:
Brian Gardiner
2 Highfield Avenue, Cambridge CB4 2AL.
Simon Fraser
Centre for Population Biology, Imperial College at Silwood
Park, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY. e-mail: s.fraser@ic.ac.uk.
Andrew Locke
150 Sheen Road, Richmond, Sun-ey TW9 lUU.
Mark Colvin
5 Oakfield, Plaistow, Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 OQD.
Wayne Jarvis
9a Brook Street, Luton, Bedfordshire LU3 IDS.
e-mail: jarvisw@bbsrc.ac.uk. Tel: (01582) 485820.
Mike Bonsall
Centre for Population Biology, Imperial College at Silwood
Park, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY. e-mail: mbonsall@ic.ac.uk.
Rob Dyke
26 Ridings Avenue, Winchmore Hill, London N21 2EL.
Roy McCormick
36 Paradise Road, Teignmouth, Devon TQ14 8WR.
Darren Mann
c/o The Registrar, address as above.
David Lonsdale
33 King's Road, Alton, Hampshire GU34 IPX.
Owen Lewis
School of Biological Sciences, University of Birmingham,
Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT.
e-mail: o.t.lewis@bham.ac.uk.
Martin Harvey
1 Arrowfield Cottages, Rotherfield-Greys, Henley-on-
Thames, Oxon.
Subscriptions: First subscription (including entrance fee) £11, or £8 under
18. Renewals £9 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12.
Subcription due on the 1st January each year.
Advertising Rate: The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the
Bulletin. Full page £60, Half page £40, Quarter page £25.
Insert charges available on request to Advertising Secretary,
address as above.
THE Natural
25 OCT 1S95
Worldwide Butterflies^
Sherborne, Dorset. dt9 4qn. tgi 01935 74608 Fax 0193529937
CATALOGUES OF
SPECIMENS
FOR COLLECTORS
We will be pleased to send any
of the following. 50p in stamps
would be appreciated and
please mention the AES.
1 . The Allcard Collection
8000 superb European
butterflies. Very important
collection in exceptionally
fine condition.
2. British Butterfly
Aberrations. Colour
catalogue of rarities and
licenced protected species
from old collections.
3. British Moths.
4. British and European
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AES BULLETIN
No. 399
CANNIBAL LADYBIRDS /
by Roy Goff
82 Cliffe Road, Gonerb]^ Hill Foot, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG31 SUP.
On the 13th July I noticed some pupae of the Two-spotted ladybird
Adalia bipunctata on the upperside of a leaf of a small silver birch
(approx. 8ft.). The first group were of five pupae closely attached about
the centre of the leaf. Further searching of the tree revealed several more
groups with a maximum of six pupae on a leaf. What I was surprised to
see was a fully grown larva eating one of the original group of pupae
found. Looking closely I then noticed that several pupae were being
consumed by their fellow larvae. In most instances there was only a single
ladybird larva on a leaf but one pupa had the misfortune of being sucked
dry by two which had attacked from opposite sides. I also observed one
instance of a larva being attacked by a second. All the larvae bar one
were full grown and some were about to pupate themselves. I have
several similar silver birches in the garden quite close together but only
the one by the pond had any ladybirds upon it. There was no trace of
greenfly on the tree and no indication that there had been.
The weather had been very hot and dry for several days which I
suspect had some bearing upon the behaviour of the larvae. It is
impossible to prove anything but I wonder if during the cooler weather
the ladybirds had been "water fat" and able to pupate easily and in
harmony with their neighbours. Once the dry conditions had gained a
hold, larvae moving onto the tree were short of water and therefore chose
to have one last feed before pupating themselves. I wonder if similar
behaviour is frequent in these beetles or if anyone can offer a better
explanation.
36
APRIL 1995
HANDKERCHIEFS IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
(LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE)
by E. Geoffrey Hancock (3485)
Glasgow Museums. Keluingroue. Glasgow G3 SAG.
A small number of nymphalids found in Trinidad and Tobago have been
given the local name of "handkerchiefs" as described in Barcant (1970).
Having just returned from a visit to these islands as part of an expedition
from Glasgow University during July 1994, I found a copy of the AES
Bulletin with Leigh Plester's account of his observations in Tobago in the
large pile of mail in the in-tray. Two days later, when I found time to read
it, I was intrigued by the mention of a small unidentified black and white
butterfly he had found in Arnos Vale, 23rd May 1990 (Plester, 1994). Its
description seemed to be similar to some I had collected from Arima in
Trinidad where it was common. These were Ph\;ciodes leucodesma
(Fldr), the Common handkerchief, but it is not supposed to occur in
Tobago. The term handkerchief is derived possibly from the name given
by Felder to this species leucodesma (leucus - white; desme - bundle or
package). Leigh Plester kindly sent the specimen to examine when it
became apparent that it was the Blue-tinted handkerchief, D\;namine
theseus (Fldr), a similar but smaller and more distinctively marked
species. It is known to occur in Tobago so the mystery would appear to
be solved.
DAbrera (1987) has excellent illustrations showing the undersides also
but the book is well beyond the pocket of most people. Of additional
interest is the reference by DAbrera to the occurrence of dry season forms
in Mexico, characterised by smaller size. The Tobago specimen, collected
at the end of the dry season, has a wing length of 15mm whereas that
illustrated is 20mm. However, it is consistent with other local examples
according to the measurements given by Barcant (1970) and
geographical variation may cloud the issue. Perhaps access to larger
samples would demonstrate any seasonal changes in Trinidad and
Tobago populations within species of this genus.
Other species of D\;namme found in Trinidad and Tobago include
arenae (Hiibn.), which is illustrated by D'Abrera using an example
labelled Trinidad. He queries the locality for some reason but local
naturalists appear to have no doubts about this species, where it is known
by them to be widespread but decreasing in numbers (Barcant, 1970).
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
37
REFERENCES
D'Abrera, B. (1987). Butterflies of the Neotropical Region, Part IV, N\;mphalidae (partim).
Hill House, Black Rock, Australia, pp 528-678.
D'Abrera, B. (1987). Butterflies of the Neotropical Region, Part III, Brassolidae, Acraeidae
and N\;mphalidae (partim). Hill House, Black Rock, Australia, pp 386-527.
Barcant, M. (1970). Butterflies of Trinidad and Tobago, London.
Plester, L. (1994). De fus' time in Tobago. Bull. Amat. Ent. Soc, 53(395): 151-156.
MOTH SIGHTINGS IN 1994
by Chris Raper (7540)
22 Beech Road, Purley-or\-Tharnes, Reading, Berkshire RG8 8DS.
Species: Meganola albula (Denis & Schiffermiiller) "Kent black arches"
Location: Hartslock Nature Reserve, Goring, Oxfordshire.
SU 618795
Date: 29.6.94
Recorder: Mr CM. Raper, 22 Beech Road, Purley-on-Thames, Reading,
Berkshire
Species: Heliothis peltigera (Denis & Schiffermiiller) "Bordered straw"
Location: Beech Road, Purley-on-Thames, Reading, Berkshire
SU 655762
Date: 7.9.94
Recorder: (as above)
The first was taken using a Heath trap and the second at a kitchen
window. Specimens were taken and the identifications have been
confirmed by Brian Baker (25 Matlock Road, Caversham, Reading).
The above records will be forwarded to the Entomologist's Record,
John Campbell at the Oxford Natural History Museum, Brian Baker,
BBONT and Paul Waring.
It seems to have been a good year for migrants - several Clouded
yellows were seen on the Downs this year and I have caught more
migratory moths than I would normally. Other species new to me were
the Cloaked minor and Rush veneer. Have other recorders noticed the
same?
38
APRIL 1995
MATE-GUARDING IN CLUSIA FLAVA (MEIGEN) (DIPTERA:
CLUSIIDAE)
fay Richard A. Jones
13 Bellwood Road, Nunhead, London SE15 3DE.
Mate-guarding is a widespread behaviour in insects. To prevent
promiscuity in his chosen mate and to counter the attentions of
interlopers, the male stands guard over the fertilised female while she lays
her (and his) eggs without interruption or removal of his sperm.
The behaviour is perhaps best known and most often observed in
dragonflies where mated pairs remain in tandem, the male clinging to the
neck of the female with his anal claspers, while they bob over the water
intermittently dipping the female's abdomen into the pool to release eggs.
In many damselflies the couple both descend down a plant stem beneath
the water's surface, remaining out of sight for several minutes while egg-
laying takes place. In others, while the female oviposits, the male hovers
nearby, driving off any inquisitive intruders.
Some flies also engage in mate-guarding, but the behaviour is not often
observed and less frequently reported. A few obvious species are well
known mate-guarders. For example, males of the dungfly Scathophaga
stercoraria (Linnaeus) sit in wait for females on a fresh pat, and after
successfully mating, the male keeps a firm hold while the female lays eggs
(Ridsdill-Smith, 1991 and references therein). Conopids are frequently
seen in threes, as an intruding male attempts to interrupt a couple for his
own ends. I have found Sicus ferrugineus (Linnaeus) and Conops
ceriaeformis Meigen so entangled. In my experience, conopid pairs are
seldom attached in coitus and more often than not the male appears to
be present solely to guard the female against other amorous attentions.
Several mate-guarding observations have been of small and secretive
species (eg McLean, 1991), observed through the viewfinder of a camera
and macro lens. So it was when I came across a pair of tiny pink flies on a
rotten log in Leigh Woods near Bristol (part of the Avon Valley National
Nature Reserve), on 2nd June 1994. I was able to take several pictures of
the flies as they walked across the log. Unfortunately, I did not collect the
specimens, but Peter Chandler has very kindly identified them from a
photograph as Clusiafalva (Meigen) (Plate 95E, Fig. 2).
As they moved, the female probed from side to side with her extended
abdomen. Although I could not see any eggs being laid, this is what I
imagined must be taking place. Meanwhile the male remained on her
back, sitting motionless apart from the odd flick of his wings.
39
From the photograph it is clear that the male has a vice-like hold on his
mate. Her wings are clamped by his legs; the front leg grips the base of
the wing while the middle leg clamps across the centre. Dyte (1988)
describes how the front legs of a mate-guarding dolichopodid fly,
H\;drophorus oceanus (Macquart), grip the thorax near the bases of the
female's wings. Unlike in Clusia, however, the female dolichopodid's
wings were free to move and couples flew about quite actively.
In many insects, sperm from a mating can be removed by a subsequent
pairing. In dragonflies, part of the male's genitalia is specially shaped to
scoop out any previous sperm. In other insects where a female mates
many times it is the last male to mate that fathers most of the offspring,
suggesting that sperm displacement has taken place (eg Parker, 1970). It
is therefore in the male's interests to guard his mate against further
copulation and prevent any new suitor removing or diluting the sperm he
has already invested.
!
Mate-guarding is also thought to take place where males significantly
I outnumber females. This is so with male dungflies which congregate on
the fresh dung before the females arrive. Similarly Dyte (1988) found a
larger number of males than females when studying the mate-guarding of
Hydrophorus oceanus. Whether or not males of Clusia flava outnumber
females is unknown.
Unusually, the male Clusia in the photograph is much larger than the
female carrying him. In the Diptera, males are normally slightly smaller
than the females. In answer to my initial query, Peter Chandler replied
that he has a pair of Clusia flava taken in cop where the male is very
diminutive compared to the female. Dyte (1988) suggested that smaller
male size might evolve as a response to mate-guarding, because small
males are less of a burden to the females carting them about. This would
be particularly important in dolichopodids (Dyte, 1988) and ephydrids
(McLean, 1991) because they walk on water.
Mating insects make interesting and sometimes willing photographic
subjects; so engrossed are they in the activity of copulation that they seem
not to notice the approaching entomologist laden down with copious
quantities of Japanese optical gear, associated wiring and bits of
ironmongery. Despite the fact that these photographs can raise more
questions than they solve, capturing snap-shots of such activity is the first
stage in understanding many aspects of insect behaviour, a field in which
the amateur entomologist can still make advances.
40
APRIL 1995
Acknowledgements
My thanks to Peter Chandler for identifying the flies from a photograph
and his helpful comments on the species, and to Tony Robinson, warden
of the Avon Valley NNR who provided me with a permit to collect insects
in the reserve.
REFERENCES
Dyte. C.E. (1988). Mate guarding and sex ratio in Hi^'drophorus oceanus (Macquart)
(Diptera: Dolichopodidae). The Entomologist 107: 122-126
McLean. I.F.G. (1991). Mate-guarding in Eph\,'dra riparia Fallen (Diptera; Ephydridae).
British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 4: 65. plate III fig. 4
Parker. G.A. (1970). Sperm competition and its evolutionan,' effect on copula duration in
the fly Scatophaga stercoraria. Journal of Insect Physiology 16: 1301-1328.
Ridsdill-Smith. J. (1991). Competition in dung-breeding insects. In: Bailey. W.J. & Flidsdill-
Smith. J., (eds). Reproductive behaviour of insects: individuals and populations.
Chapman & Hall. London, pp. 254-292.
A MIGRATION PUZZLE
by Humphrey Kay {9621)
Airports can be good places to watch butterflies on migration, and I
remember a tedious wait at Chicago airport being enlivened by the sight
of hundreds of Monarchs flying southwards on their autumn migration
some years ago. On 16th October this year I witnessed a similar migration
at Charleston (South Carolina) airport of Large clouded yellow-like
butterflies, all flying south at about 8mph in an almost continuous stream.
Monarchs seemed to be scarce this year but on 12th October I had
witnessed four in the Blue Ridge Mountains above Charlottesville.
Virginia. The peculiarity of these four was that they all seemed to be
flying in the wrong direction. To get them from Virginia to the wintering
sites in Mexico the general direction is south-west but these butterflies
were all gong slightly north of east. The place was the Beagle Gap in the
Blue Ridge Mountain range (height about 2000ft.). so they were leaving
the Shenandoah valley to reach the wide plains of eastern Virginia. This
is a sensible way to go to ensure a journey with plenty of nectar-bearing
flowers along the way. but how did they have the wisdom to take two
right-angle turns, first left, then right, to reach this easier route? To pass
through the Beagle Gap they had to fly head on into a brisk easterly
wind, and I could only assume that it was the wind which informed them
of the presence of more flowers ahead in that direction than there would
have been on the more direct route along the Appalachians. Is there any
other explanation?
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
41
FEIGNED DEATH IN THE WOLF SPIDER PISAURA
MIRABILIS (CLERK)
by Richard A. Jones
13 Bellwood Road, Nunhead, London SE15 3DE.
The large wolf spider, Pisaura mirabilis (Clerk) is a common sight in early
summer. It frequently sits on bramble leaves in wait for some unwary prey
to come too close. Its typical pose is one in which its front two pairs of
legs are held outstretched, as if sensing vibration in the leaf, and its hind
two pairs are arched, as if ready to launch an attack.
In Nunhead Cemetery, London SE15, Pisaura is very common and I
have photographed it on many occasions. However, on 11th May 1994
my eye was drawn to what I took to be a dead specimen, or the empty
skin of a recently moulted individual. At first I ignored what 1 took to be
an inanimate shell, but thinking it might have succumbed to a fungal
disease or parasite I took a closer look. As I drew forward, to my surprise,
it suddenly sat up and adopted the usual alert stance of the species - legs
outstretched, tensed and ready to make a move. I withdrew slightly to
switch on the flash guns to my camera, and the spider again adopted the
crumpled appearance of a shed skin.
On a second approach, camera in hand, 1 moved extremely slowly and
was able to get within inches of the animal to photograph it (Plate 95F,
Fig. 3). The flashes immediately startled the spider and it again took up
the standard Pisaura position (Plate 95F, Fig. 4). A few moments later it
was shrivelled again, only to jump to attention if disturbed by the flash
guns, camera or my enquiring face.
Feigning death, or thanatosis as it is sometimes called, is a common
response to danger; an insect (or spider) draws in all its legs, drops to the
ground and remains motionless in the hope that it has become invisible
against the background. Animals and birds (and also entomologists
sometimes) that hunt by detecting movement are easily foiled by this
trick. After a suitable period of stillness, the creature gets up and walks
away, its attacker having long ago become bored and moved off.
Quite what this Pisaura aimed to achieve, I do not know. Perhaps it
saw me before 1 saw it and, fearing I was a predator, curled up to deceive
me into thinking it was not a tasty snack, but just a dead and dry husk.
My close approach may have convinced it that the tactic had failed and it
then adopted an alert pose ready to dash off into hiding. But why should
it revert to a rumpled appearance when I moved away? Maybe it
intended to fool flies into landing periously close to what no longer
42
APRIL 1995
resembled their spider enemy. Maybe it was preparing to moult, or
perhaps it was simply ill or tired and hunched on its haunches to conseR'e
energy and rest.
Whatever its motives for feigning death, the spider's initial behaviour
really did convince me that it was dead; its limbs took on the exact
appearance of moulted skin, held loosely and iiTegularly curled under its
body. I can find no published report of this behaviour and wonder
whether it is novel.
Acknowledgements
Frances Murphy kindly commented on a draft of this paper.
A VISIT TO WHIXALL MOSS
by Jan Koryszko (6089)
On 23rd June 1994. a sunny and hot day. 1 visited Whixall Moss.
Shropshire with Kate Flannagan. Steve Chapman and Derek Heath. It
had been a couple of years since 1 last visited this area, so we were
looking foiward to finding some interesting species to photograph and
record. We were not disappointed.
There were a number of Large heath [Coenonimpha tullia) and
Brimstone butterflies [Gonepteryx rhamni) along with Green hairstreaks
[Callophrys rubi) and Holly blues [Celastrina argiolus). We also noted
single specimens of the Triple-spotted clay [Xestia ditrapezium) . the
Suspected {Parastichtis suspecta). the Round-winged muslin [Thumatha
senex) and the Marsh oblique-ban'ed {Hypenodes humidalis) which were
disturbed when we walked through the grass.
Steve Chapman netted a possible Plain wave [Idaea straminata) but it
was too worn to make a reliable positive identification. A few Grass
waves [Perconia strigillaria) were also disturbed, and Steve pointed out a
shrub on which settled a moth 1 had been looking for in this area but
which had until now eluded me. the Manchester treble-bar [Carsia
sororiata anglica).
A number of Tiger beetles [Cicindela campesiris) were also seen
running across the ground along with some beautiful black and yellow
Longhorn beetles.
At the end of the day we had an interesting talk with Dr Joan Daniels.
the English Nature Site Manager, about our findings.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
43
BUTTERFLIES IN KAKUM NATIONAL PARK, GHANA
PART II. NYMPHALIDAE & HESPERIIDAE
by Torben B. Larsen
358 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8PL.
(continued from page 8)
Nymphalidae
The Danainae are poorly represented in Africa, but all six Ghanaian
species have been recorded. However, Danaus chri^sippus Linne only
occurs as a stray in the forest proper and always looks distinctly
uncomfortable; it is very common in the open agricultural lands
surrounding Kakum.
About 30 Satyrinae have so far been found, and they behave just as
Satyrinae usually do in the tropics. More than half belong to the genus
Bicyclus and I am beginning to be able to guess which species are where.
Many live only in dense undergrowth and are best lured out by fruit bait -
this is especially true for the huge blue-banded B. hewitsoni. Other
species frequent more
open forest, some are on
swampy ground, and a
few are found only along
paths and in clearings.
The Charaxinae are
among the jewels of
African butterflies and
can nearly only be
caught by the use of
traps (see Fig. 1). I have
not been overly diligent
in this respect, and have
taken only 20 so far.
Now that I have a
vehicle it will be easier to
set traps and procure
bait, so the total will rise
to over 30 - perhaps
including the rare
Charaxes hadrianus
Ward which I have taken
Fig. 1. Tending a Charaxes trap. further down the COast.
44
APRIL 1995
Now come the African forest butterflies par excellence, the genera
Eur^phura (two in Kakum). Euriphene (twelve in Kakum). Bebearia
(sixteen). Euphaedra (sixteen), and related genera (six). They are all
hooked on fermenting fruit, and where monkeys and hornbills have
dislodged lots of figs, the forest floor is caipeted with these spectacular
butterflies (see Plate 95A Fig. 2). The Euphaedra are among the most
beautiful in Africa. My favourite is the rare and very shy Euphaedra
perseis Drury which is a phenomenal mimic of a day-flying moth, and
which had adapted its flight pattern accordingly. They may not look that
similar in a box. but I am hard put to tell them apan in nature.
The beautiful C^'mothoe have seven representatives in Kakum. They
are also fruit-feeders, but less tied to the forest floor. I found a lovely new-
species there, only to discover that it had already been described as
Cymothoe aubergeri Plantrou from Cote d'lvoire as recently as 1977 and
never refeiTed to since. There should be six of the related Euptera and
Pseudath\,'ma in Kakum. but they are exti"emely scarce, and 1 have only
one.
Four or five Pseudacraea are found in the park, and as the name
implies, they are among the finest mimics of Acraea that can be
imagined. There is disagreement over whether some species are
polymorphic and breeding experiments are called for. I believe them to
be strongly polymorphic and under the same son of genetic control as
Swallowtails such as Papilio memnon Linne and the female of P.
dardanus Brown, but it could be that several species are involved. Here is
a splendid topic for a postgi'aduate thesis.
So far no less than sixteen of at most twenty- species of Neptis have
turned up - as many as twelve species in a single day. How males and
females in this genus establish their respective bona fides I cannot say -
several are almost impossible to tell apan under the microscope, but they
obviously manage well in the field! Xeptis msiades Hewitson is perhaps
the worid's most variable butterfly - or perhaps not. since I suspect it may
be a complex of six to ten distinct species.
The remaining Nymphalinae (some 25 species) tend to be species of
clearings and paths, often large and very visible. The African oakleaf
{KalHmoides rumia Doubleday) dive-bombs any passing butterfly. The
Mother-of-pearl [Salamis parhassus Drury) circles lazily overhead,
occasionally picking a fight with a neighbouring male. The beautiful
Diadem (Hiypohmnas salmacis Drury) adds a splash of blue of almost
morpho-like intensity. Finally, two of the few African Argynnini [Phalanta
euri^tis Doubleday & Hewitson and Lachnoptera anticHa Hiibner) add
their bright cinnamon to the scene.
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
45
The Acraeinae are rarely much in evidence, though there may be a
time during the dry season when they are more comxmon than I have yet
seen them. Several species do have sudden population explosions at odd
times of the year. Nonetheless, more than 25 species have already been
recorded and there are probably no more than another five to be found.
The subfamily is rather poorly represented in West Africa. The most
interesting and complex species and groups are from the montane forests
and the denser Zambesian savannahs. There are only 40 in all of West
Africa, but twice as many in Kenya.
Hesperiidae
Some 90 skippers have so far been recorded, and there are more to
come, since getting a complete representation of skippers depends on a
lot of trudging along forest paths catching large numbers of the common
species to check for the scarcer ones. Few skippers are common and
many are exceedingly rare. Thus, I have seen but one Celaenorrhinus
rutilans Mabille, a large and most evident species, and three rare
Celanorrhinus that should be present have not yet been seen. Members
of the Katreus and Calleaghs are almost "once-in-a-lifetime" events - on
my last trip I saw Calleagris lacteus Mabille for the first time after spending
more than a hundred days in suitable forests. The Paradise skippers of
the genus Abantis are almost impossible to come across in West Africa;
one of the most characteristic (Abantis eltringhami Jordan) is still known
only from the holotype.
The most spectacular skipper in Africa is the Giant skipper
(Pyrrhochalcia iphis Drury), the archetype of a forest butterfly. Its slow,
buzzing - but far from clumsy - flight in the semi-twilight of the dense
forest is a familiar sight. It came as a real surprise to me that it was
common right in the centre of Cape Coast township as well. That kind of
ecological tolerance is genuinely rare among forest butterflies.
I find the skippers a most exciting group and it is sad that they are all
too often ignored or relegated to secondary status. Several of the recent
major books on African butterflies exclude them completely.
Conclusion
There are probably nearly 600 butterfly species in Kakum, and up to 150
of them can be seen on a good day's walk. This is interesting and
important on its own. I shall have more to say about the composition,
ecology, and biodiversity of Kakum butterflies when I have studied them
further. But butterflies, being relatively well known, can be looked at as a
46
APRIL 1995
proxy for wider arthropod biodiversity. Only about one per cent of all
described arthropods are butterflies, so the 600 butterflies probably act as
proxy for an absolute minimum of 60,000 other arthopod species. But
most other arthopods are much less studied than butterflies, where 90%
or more are known (I have only found a dozen new species in Ghana so
far). Only between 15 and 35% have been formally described, so it is a
safe bet that the Kakum butterflies are a proxy for 200,000 to 400,000
other arthropods.
That is the treasure-house which Kakum National Park protects. The
Ghana Wildlife Department, with support of outside donors like the
lUCN, Conservation International, and bilateral donors, is doing a good
job with a minimum of resources, conserving the last remaining patches
of unspoilt habitats. And while Ghana does have a genuine self-interest in
ensuring the conservation of its original biodiversity and natural
resources, the rest of the world does as well.
So, please join me in three cheers for Kakum National Park. It is one
crucial link in an all too fragile chain of nature reserves that protect the
last remnants of the forest ecosystems of West Africa, the study of which
has hardly begun.
Acknowledgements
This is paper no. 11 resulting from my initial research for the book
Butterflies of West Africa - origins, natural history;, diuersit]; and
conservation (1993-1998). The field work has been generously supported
by the Carlsberg Foundation in Denmark. The Ghana Wildlife
Department has supported the project throughout; their field staff are
extremely helpful, and their large veranda tents are wonderful when it
rains for days on end. Few places in Africa are as welcoming, safe, and
decent as rural parts of Ghana. At a time when most news out of Africa is
bad, let Ghana get credit where credit is due.
REFERENCES
Larsen, T.B., Riley, J. & Comes, M.A. (1980). The butterfly fauna of a secondary bush
locality in Nigeria. J. Res. Lepid. (California), 18:4-23.
Fox, R.M., Lindsey, A.W., Clench, H. & Miller, L.D. (1965). The butterflies of Liberia. Mem.
Am. ent. Soc. (Washington), 19: 1-438.
Hopkins, B. (1970). The Olokemeji Forest Reserve. IV. Checklists. Nig. Field (Ibadan), 35:
123-143.
Owen, D.F. (1991). Pseudaletis leonis: a rare mimetic butterfly in a West African rainforest
(Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Tropical Lepidoptera (Gainsville). 2: 111-113.
Riley, J. & Comes, M.A. (1971). The Lepidoptera of Gambari Forest Reserve. Nig. ent.
Mag. (Ibadan), 2: 103-107.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
47
DISCOVERING NEWNHAM-ON-SEVERN: THE SCARLET
TIGER {CALLIMORPHA DOMINULA L.)
I by Don McNamara (55 73)
I 6 Fulham Close, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex UBIO OSU.
Having taken-over my late parents' house and very large garden, about a
quarter of an acre, in Newnham-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, the first of
several busy tasks of refurbishment and reorganisation was to start-off the
garden. I intended to plant as many plants, shrubs and trees as possible,
that would be useful to butterflies and moths; reinforce the hawthorn
hedge that separated the west side of the garden from a newly-sprouted
housing estate, and create from the formerly immaculate and well
manicured lawn, a small meadow of approximately 400 square metres -
to be gently "managed" with the minimum of disturbance, in the hope
that some Satyrids would colonise it. All this could grow while the DIY
indoors proceded.
A couple of ponds in the old garden and allotment areas, one for
amphibians and one for some carp etc., would lay the foundations of
what I hope to be a decent butterfly garden and, if I don't run out of
money, a conservatory and two greenhouses would enable me to do
some controlled breeding and research.
My association with Newnham goes back to my National Service days
and when I was drafted into the Gloucestershire regiment (I'll never
understand the logic of this), my parents moved from West London to
Newnham and I became a "forestman" overnight. A couple of years
studying the language and I was free to explore. Although working in
London, I used every opportunity to head west and generally tramp the
countryside in the area clutching the usual paraphernalia. Nooks and
crannies along the main railway line were (and still are) a rich source of
discovery where undisturbed colonies of the Dingy skipper, Er\;nnis tages
tages (L.), and the Grizzled skipper, Pijrgus malvae (L.), were found as
well as a host of curious moths, most of which I am still sorting out.
The Cotswolds, a former home of the Large blue, Maculinea arion
eufyphron, revealed hairstreaks, most of the satyrs - a healthy colony of
the Marsh fritillary, Eurodr\;as aurinia (Rott) and lots of other goodies. In
the Forest of Dean, itself a treasure trove, the Silver-washed fritillary
Arg\;nnis paphia (L.) flies, and the dragonflies around Soudley Ponds
have to be seen to be believed. The bird and plant life, needless to say, is
stunning. Professors Challenger and Sumerlee would be well-pleased. No
pterodactyls as yet.
On the advice of another AES-man, Peter Howard, I planted out a bed
of comfrey, Sijmphytum spp., I'm not sure whether these plants are
hybrids or cultivars but they are certainly prolific - on the offchance of
48
APRIL 1995
attracting some Scarlet tigers, a long-time favourite of mine. This was
planted in 1989 and in April 1993 fifteen larvae were found sunning
themselves on the comfrey leaves. From these, I obtained several dozen
offspring, most of which I returned to the garden and some to another wild
patch about a mile from here. Although I've never seen this moth in the
area, I'm told that it is recorded here and is quite common - so nothing
extraordinary.
However, one of the adults showed a golden suffusion over the usual
creamy patches of white on the forewings, to my knowledge not a named
aberration, so while I have a healthy stock of these under "protective
custody" I'll try to keep them going for as long as possible to see what
appears. It is possible that abs. bimacula or medionigra, darker forms, will
turn up and there is an outside chance that ab. rossica could appear, a
yellow form, but literature would suggest that this is more likely to happen
from continental livestock - although I have four specimens in my collection
(recycled from old collections), three from "Hants 1906, JHF" and one
from "Ringwood 1898 A.J. Hodges ex J.H. Fowler", so you never know!
ANOTHER MIDLANDS MONARCH
by Ro\;AFrost (10011)
Leigh Plester recorded a Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) in the West
Midlands in June 1992 (Bulletin 53: 48). On 22nd September 1994 at
Arkwright, Derbyshire I had unmistakable views of a Monarch which flew
slowly across a main road in a northerly direction, some two metres from
me. I am familiar with the species from visits to Canada and the Canary
Isles. Pleasing though it was to see, it seems more probable from the date
and locality that it was an escapee or release, rather than a genuine vagrant
from overseas.
LATE EMERGENCE
by Jan Koryszko (6089)
During 1994 the Silver Y (Autographa gamma), was one of the most
common migrants in Staffordshire and no doubt also in other counties.
During October and November 1994 I found quite a few freshly emerged
moths drying their wings on my south-facing garden wall with their empty
pupal cases lying nearby. The larvae may well have fed on Arabis and
other low plants in my garden.
On 8th November I found a crippled moth which was quite small. These
are known as Ab. gammina Staudinger (Colour Identification Guide to
Moths of the British Isles by Bernard Skinner, Fig. 23). No doubt the mild
autumn weather produced a number of these late emergences during 1994.
AES BULLETIN, VoK54
49
TWO MORE GYNANDROMORPHS OF THE MALAYAN
JUNGLE NYMPH, HETEROPTERYX DiLATATA (PHASMIDA)
WITH NOTES ON CAPTIVE BEHAVIOUR
by Francis Seow-Choen (9847)
54 Mimosa Walk, Singapore 2880, Singapore.
Introduction
Gynandromorphism in the phasmids is rarely recorded, but examples in
the Malayan jungle nymph, Heteropteryx dilatata (Family Bacillidae,
subfamily Heteropteryginae) has been described on several occasions. In
June and November 1994 respectively, I bought two wild caught adult
gynandromorphs of the Malayan jungle nymph from Mr Michael Yeh.
These insects were found by aboriginal collectors from the Tapah Hills in
Perak in Peninsular Malaysia.
Description
The first insect (Plate 95E, Fig. 1 and Fig. 1) is 110mm long (excluding
antennae) and male characteristics predominate and the general shape of
the insect is male. The cephalic and right side of the insect tend to be
female whereas the left and abdominal half of the insect tend to be male.
The mesothorax is female. Both the right elytron and hind wing are
shorter than the left elytra and hind wing respectively. The right elytron
/ cm
Fig. 1 . Scale drawing of the first Heteropteryx dilatata gynandromorph and its genitalia.
50
APRIL 1995
(35mm) is almost typically female but with a brown lateral stripe. The left
elytron (52mm) is green with several brown stripes and has a white
margin typical of normal males. Legs on the right side are slightly thicker
than those on the left. All legs are green however. The abdomen is brown
and typically male. The genitalia are male.
The second insect (Fig. 2) is 129mm long (excluding antennae) and
whilst the general shape is male again, there are more female features in
this specimen. The legs tend to be female. The head, mesothorax and
metathorax are female. The hind wings are fully developed as in the male
but the elytra are short and do not fully cover the hind wings. Colourwise
the insect is generally green, with patches of brown. The fifth and sixth
abdominal segments bear a central spine and the seventh and eighth
abdominal segments bear a pair of typically female spines. The genitalia
of this specimen are very unusual and do not entirely resemble either sex.
Fig. 2. A photograph of the second gynandromorph
of Heteropteryx diJotato.
AES BULLETIN, VaL54
51
Captive behaviour
The first specimen was reared in a mixed cage with Haaniella echinata
(Family Bacillidae, subfamily Heteropteryginae) and fed on guava leaves
(Psidium guajava) and local bramble (Rubus moluccanas). The
gynandromorph was very active but no attempts at flight were observed
although it was kept in a cage 8 feet by 7 feet by 4 feet in size. This was
possibly as a result of the very short "female" wings. The insect made no
attempt to mate with female Heteropteryx dUatata or female Haaniella
echinata present in the cage. Interestingly however, male Haaniella
echinata were often seen mounting the gynandromorph and attempts at
mating were observed. Unfortunately, there was no other male
Heteropteryx dilatata in the cage at that time. The gynandromorph died
in September 1994 and a drawing of it was made in the freshly dead
state.
The second insect was reared in a 3 feet by 3 feet cage with Haaniella
grayi (Family Bacillidae, subfamily Heteropteryginae) and female
specimens of Heteropteryx dilatata and fed on guava, local bramble and
leaves of a local fruit tree (Eugenia javanica). Both male and female
Haaniella grayi were present in the cage. This second gynandromorph
made no sexual attempts on any other insect present and no mountings
were attempted on it by any of the male Haaniella grayi.
Conclusion
Gynandromorphs of insects are probably not as uncommon as is
commonly thought. However, the sexual behaviour of these
gynandromorphs is unknown and the first "male" gynandromorph seems
to take no interest in females of the same species, although males of a
closely related species were often observed attempting sexual liaison with
it. Might female pheromones therefore not be produced by this male
abdomen and genitalia? It was disappointing that no sexual activity was
observed in the second specimen but this might be a result of the fact that
in such a thoroughly mixed sexual specimen, hormones of either sex
might be lacking resulting in an insect "eunuch".
REFERENCES
Brock, P.D. (1989). Gynandromorphs of the stick insect Heteropteryx dilatata. Bull. Amat.
Ent. Soc. 48: 207-11.
- , (1994). Halved gynandromorph of the stick insect Heteropteryx dilatata. Bull. Amat. Ent.
Soc. 53: 33.
Rumbacher, K. (1975). Zwei interessante phasmiden-Gynander. Ent. Z. 85: 177-8.
52
APRIL 1995
HILLTOPPING BEHAVIOUR OF THE SWALLOWTAIL
BUTTERFLY {PAPILIO MACHAON) IN THE LECHTALER
ALPS, AUSTRIA
bi;MikeAshworth (9427)
21 Meadow Drive, Knutsford WA16 ODT.
During an Austrian holiday in July 1992, I spent six days on a hut-to-hut
walking tour in the Lechtaler Alps between 2200m and 2900m. In this
period I only saw the Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon) on two
occasions.
The first time was on reaching the top of the Hirschpleisskopf (2549m).
The butterfly was clearly defending a territory of about 30m in diameter
centred on the summit cairn. Numerous other (unidentified) white and
brown butterflies were repelled from this area with vigour. My surprise at
seeing a Swallowtail in this location was compounded when another
approached the summit of the mountain and was summarily repelled by
the incumbent.
The second, similar, sighting was at the summit of the Samspitze
(2625m), some 8km away, where a Swallowtail was seen nectar-feeding
and engaging in territorial activity. On both occasions the weather was
hot and sunny. Although I subsequently saw a few Swallowtails at a
valley location near Ischgl (approx. 1350m), I am convinced that the two
summit sightings were not "by chance" and the butterflies were displaying
"hilltopping" behaviour.
Several species of butterfly are known to engage in hilltopping, where
males establish territories on hilltops and females visit these locations to
be mated. This strategy is almost certainly used to assist mate location in
populations, such as these alpine Swallowtails, where the density is low. It
may also be used by species for which cryptic colours reduce the
apparency of mates for each other, such as the Wall brown (Lasiommata
megera), as described by Dennis (1987). Dennis extends the literal
meaning of hilltopping to any behaviour in which topographic vantage
points are used to aid mate location. Thus territories may be selected on
patches of bare ground, walls, fences, stones, piles of gravel and other
landmarks.
REFERENCE
Dennis. R.L.H. (1987). Hilltopping as a mate location strategy in a Mediterranean
population of Lasiommata megera (L.) (Lepidoptera: Satyridae). Nota lepid. 10(1): 65-
70.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
53
ERECTION OF A NEW GENUS FOR THE ''DUBERNARDI-
GROUP" AND A NEW SPECIES OF PIERIDAE
(LEPIDOPTERA: RHOPALOCERA) IN CHINA
by Huang Hao
Qingdao Education College, China 266071.
In this paper, a new species of Pieridae is described under a new generic
classification for it and the "dubernardi-group". The butterflies here dealt
with were collected by the author during 1992 and 1993 from Sichuan,
Yunnan and Tibet. All type specimens are preserved in the author's
collection.
The "dubernardi-group" comprises a group of Asian Pierids belonging
to the genus Pontia Fabricius or the genus Synchloe Hiibner. The latter is
often merged into Pontia in most recent taxonomic treatments. The
"dubernardi'-group" incorporates Pontia dubernardi Oberthur, P. d.
gyantensis Verity, P. d. rothschildi Verity, P. d. bromkannpi O. Bang-Haas,
Pontia chumbiensis de Niceville, Pontia kozlovi Alpheraky, P. k. aljinensis
(R.X.) Huang and Murayama, in China, and Pontia sherpae Epstein in
Nepal.
The "dubernardi-group" was initially classified as Pieris due to the
similar wing-shape, wing-venation and the presence of postdiscal black
markings in forewing space 3 and hindwing space 6. De Niceville placed
P. chumbiensis in Parapieris, a genus he proposed "for Papilio callidice
Esper (the type)". Rober, in Seitz, followed this lead, placing P.
dubernardi, P. chumbiensis and P. kozlovi in S\;nchloe Hiibner and
alongside Pontia callidice due to the presence of a black discoidal spot on
the upperside of the forewing, the configuration of the genitalia and the
flight-pattern and behaviour of the living insect etc.
It is most likely that the "dubernardi-group" has a taxonomic position
between Pieris or Artogeia and Pontia or Synchloe. Its true taxonomy is
decided by judgement on which is the main structure in generic
classification. Here I state most of the important morphological features of
the "dubernardi-group".
(a) Wing shape rather narrow as in Aporia
(b) Discoidal cell slightly longer than 1/2 costa
(c) All veins slightly marked with black
(d) Black discoidal bar of forewings conspicuous
(e) Both sexes bear an apical marking on the hindwing space 6
54
APRIL 1995
(f) Female upperside has postdiscal blackish markings in at least
forewing spaces 1 to 3, and sometimes also in the hindwing postdiscal
area.
The features outlined above occur more readily in Pieris than in Pontia.
Pieris shares features a, b and e wholly and feature c partially within the
group. Pontia only shares feature d as does P. callidice. Although P.
callidice also has well developed blackish submarginal marking on both
wings, it cannot be said to share feature f for the following reasons. The
markings are much narrower and are more interrupted in space 2 of the
forewing and are much closer to the outer margin than to cell-end on the
hindwing. Moreover, there is an undescribed taxon (described in this
paper) closely resembling the "dubernardi-group", from Mount Gonga,
Sichuan which indicates that feature d is not an important feature in the
classification of the "dubernardi-group". As virtually all the veins are
marked with black, the discoidal bar of the forewing within the group is
connected to the black lines or streaks on the nearby veins, unlike Pontia
where it is distinct. This feature is most apparent in the new taxon. I
consider therefore, that feature d is only a specific systematic structure.
The "dubernardi-group" is very sharply different from Pieris in features
c and f. Therefore, a new genus needs to be erected for the entire
"dubernardi-group" and the new taxon from Sichuan, as follows:
Sinopieris gen.nov.
Type species Sinopieris gongaensis Huang
Wing-shape: Generally as in Aporia. Both wings are rather narrow with a
smoothly rounded outer margin.
Wing- venation: Forewing: R4 originating near the end of R3, very short
or disappeared as in Pieris and Pontia. R2 originating before and near
the upper angle of the cell. Discoidal cell slightly longer than 1/2 costa.
Wing-pattern: Both sexes, both sides, both wings: All veins are broadly or
thinly lined with black.
Upperside: Forewing: Almost all veins are broadly pencilled with black
from the apex to vein 2 or 3.
Underside: Hindwing: Ground colour yellowish, matching the colour of
the forewing apex. Black lines or streaks on or around the veins are
very conspicuous, often broad and strong.
Male upperside: Submarginal blackish markings present in at least
forewing space 3 and hindwing space 6.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
55
Female upperside: Both wings are dusted with more blackish scales than
in the male. Postdiscal black band occurs in at least forewing spaces 1-
3 and hindwing space 6, and is more extensive than in the male.
Female underside: Postdiscal band of the upperside is partially repeated
but is sometimes absent.
Male genitalia: Valva is more or less squarish. Saccus is very thick, at least
two or three times thicker than its length.
The new genus Sinopieris can be distinguished from Pontia (including
P. callidice) by the structure of the male genitalia. The valva is somewhat
squarish, whilst in Pontia it is triangular with a much longer ventral
margin. The saccus is very thin in Pontia, very unlike the thick structures
seen in Sinopieris (see figure 1 A-F).
D E F
Fig. 1. Male genitalia: Ring and valva.
(A) Sinopieris dubernardi (B) Sinopieris gongaensis sp. nov. (C) Pontia chlorodice
gongdisica ssp. n. (D) Pontia callidice halasia (E) Pontia callidice kalora (F) Pontia daplidice.
56
APRIL 1995
In addition, two other species, Apoha venata Leech and Aporia davidis
Oberthiir can probably be placed in Sinopieris. They show a curious
resemblance to the new taxon and the "dubernardi-group" in features a,
b, c, e and f listed above. The greatest disparities are that their ground
colour of the underside is pale yellow and not canary yellow, and that the
black vein markings are much thinner than those of the ''dubernardi-
group". However, this contrast is also found between Aporia hippia
Bremer and Aporia bieti Oberthiir, which are homogeneous. Therefore, I
consider that the canary yellow ground colour and the width of the black
streaks on veins are not generic systematic structures. There is another
doubt that both A. venata and A. davidis pose, this being that the
forewing submarginal band is greyish and less brilliant on the upperside
and has disappeared completely on the underside. This, however, is also
seen in the female of the new taxon S. gongaensis. Therefore, I feel that
more detailed examinations will demonstrate that A. ver\ata and A.
davidis belong to Sinopieris.
Sinopieris gongaensis sp. nov.
Male:
Head black, eyes brown and smooth.
Labial palpus porrect, striped black and white, clothed with long blackish
hairs beneath.
Antennae about 0.4 length of forewing costa, superficially ringed white.
Club well marked, abrupt, black- tipped, oar-shaped.
Thorax above and below black, densely clothed with long black and grey
hairs.
Legs black and white striped lengthways.
Femora densely clothed with long grey and white hairs beneath.
Cilia white on both wing surfaces and inner margins, black outer margins
to both wings.
Forewing length 25.5 - 27mm.
Both wings ground colour chalk white.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
57
Upperside: Wing-base thinly powdered with black scales.
Forewing: All veins heavily marked in black streaks except for veins 1
to 3 which are only thinly lined with black, so costal margin is
narrowly marked with black. Vein-tips from apex to tornus are
broadly marked with black, so marginal portions of spaces 2 to 6 in
ground colour are narrower. Submarginal black band strong and
extensive, invariably connected with marginal black markings which
are well continued in spaces 2 and 3, becoming narrow and
sometimes interrupted in spaces 1, 4, 5 and 6.
Hindwing: All veins remarkably thinly lined with black except for 2a
and 3a, appearing broadly darkened where the underside's much
broader streaks shine through. Costal margin lined in black. Outer
margin marked with triangular black spots on vein ends. A black
spot, somewhat smudged, appears in space 6.
Underside:
Forewing: White ground colour. Apex narrowly coloured canary
yellow, matching hindwing ground colour. All veins evenly broadly
marked with black with vein tips as upperside. Submarginal band of
upperside often disappeared, at most appearing as black scales
dusting the middle of veins. However, submarginal area invariably
appears darker - slightly blueish-grey in appearance - where the
upperside band shows through,
Hindwing: The same in both sexes. Ground colour canary yellow. All
veins stand out in very heavy black.
Female:
Head, eyes, labial palpus, antennae, thorax, abdomen, legs and cilia as in
male.
Forewing length 26mm
Upperside:
Forewing: Ground colour yellowish, heavily powdered with black
scales, appears somewhat brownish. Maculation of male repeated
but in a more brownish, less brilliant black. Apex more coloured
yellow, matching the ground colour of hindwing upperside.
58
APRIL 1995
Hindwing: Ground colour in shade of light yellow as in forewing apex.
Basal and discal areas sparsely dusted with black scales except for
space 7. All veins marked with broad black streaks of the same width
as in male hindwing underside, except for 2a and 3a. Spot in space
6 brownish, beginning a postdiscal line of discontinuous blots in
spaces 3 to 5.
Underside: As in male.
Sinopieris gongaensis
Distribution: Mount Gonga of Sichuan, China.
Holotype: Male
Allotype: Female
Paratypes: 2 Males. Muoxi, Luding, Sichuan. 3400-3800m. 18 July 1992.
This new species closely resembles Sinopieris dubernardi rothschildi
(Verity), but can be easily distinguished from the latter as well as other
members of the "dubernardi-group" in having its forewing submarginal band
extended into spaces 4-6. It also has an apex with a white line in the marginal
portion of space 6. In fact, this new species looks like a smaller and darker
version of A. venata Leech which may belong to Sinopieris. Both species fly
rapidly with Sinopieris dubernardi in the grassland near forest zones at
heights above 3400 metres. I have noticed that all of them have a similar
flight pattern.
LATTICED HEATH IN STAFFORDSHIRE
by Jan Kor\;szko (6089)
On 17th July 1994, at Park Hall Country Park, Staffordshire while in the
sandstone quarries collecting moths, I noticed approximately a dozen
Latticed heaths (Semiothisa clathrata) flying in the warm^ sunshine.
I have been expecting this species to turn up here for some years.
Before 1979 it was found only in the extreme south and east of the
county, on waste-ground and railway embankments at Wigginton, Walsall
and Hanbury. But since then it has spread in the county northward,
reaching Meaford, Apedale and Barlaston Rough Close Common where I
saw a single specimen on 18th July 1994. This species is a newcomer to
north Staffordshire in recent years.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
59
A REQUEST FOR FROGHOPPER RECORDS
by John Badmin (3406)
Coppice Place. Perry VJood, Selling, Fauersham, KentMElS 9RP.
Members will no doubt be familiar with the spittle-like masses or "cuckoo
spit" produced by froghoppers in early summer, yet few have studied
these insects in detail. Froghoppers are members of the order Hemiptera
or tree bugs and belong to the family Cercopidae. There are ten species
of froghopper in the British Isles ranging in size from the minute, ground-
dwelling Neophilaenus exclamationis (Thunberg), a mere 3mm, to large
tree-dwelling Aphrophora species over a centimetre in length.
I have been studying the population biology of one froghopper,
Cercopis uulnerata Illiger for more than ten years. This froghopper is very
brightly-coloured with red and black forewings and is unlikely to be
confused with any other British insect apart from a large ladybird or
Burnet moth. Body length is approximately one centimetre. If the insect
jumps you can be sure that is a froghopper! If you are still unsure, check
to see if it has the sucking mouthparts characteristic of the bug group. The
insect is illustrated on the front cover of the AES Leaflet No. 32 on
Leafhoppers (Le Quesne, 1969).
I would be particularly interested to hear from members of any sites
(name, grid reference) where unusual colour forms of this species exist.
The most dramatic variants are those where the red wing patches have
been replaced by patches of yellow or pink (Badmin 1988,
AuchenorrhiJincha Recording Scheme Newsletter No. 10). Very
occasionally ''colourless" morphs are found where the red pigment has
completely failed to develop. Some individuals also vary considerably in
the extent of the black markings on the wings. These variants are more
difficult to detect, and because they lack bright warning colours, may be
predated by birds. They usually constitute less than 5% of the population.
Adult Cercopis are most frequently seen basking on grass and flower
stems, within a metre of the ground, but occasionally they may be found
higher up on leaves and stems of low-growing branches of shrubs and
trees.
Adults begin to appear at the very end of April, through May and June
with a few stragglers occurring as late as July. Cercopis colonies are
frequently found in or near woods and along hedgerow margins. There
are recent records of the froghopper adapting to motorway margins and 1
have observed one colony on an exposed grass-covered sea wall far
away from any woodland.
60
APRIL 1995
C. vulnerata is fairly widely distributed in south and central England
with records extending as far north as Newcastle. However, there are few
records from the west country, East Anglia and Wales. There is a pre-
1970 record from near Carlisle indicating that it may occur considerably
further north than current records suggest. Any records from northern
England and Scotland would be much appreciated.
An indication of colony size would be useful. This varies from a few to
over 200 individuals. Numbers have been on the increase over the past
two years following a long period of decline so that populations may be
easier to find this year. Adults are very sedentary by nature and rarely fly
or jump more than a metre at a time, even when provoked. This suggests
that groups of individuals separated by only a relatively short distance
may exist as separate colonies. Even a wide footpath may be a
considerable barrier to these insects depending on the surrounding
habitat.
Book Reviews
Die Tagfalter Nordwestasiens (Butterflies of North-west Asia)
(Lepidoptera: Diurna) by Vladimir Lukhtanov & Alexander Lukhtanov.
440 pages. 56 colour plates, coloured frontispiece, compact bound, size
A/4 (21x30cm). price DM248.
The book can be ordered from: Verlag Dr Ulf Eitschberger,
Humboldtstrasse 13, D-95168 Marktleuthen. Fax: 0049 9285 8238
In this book, for the first time, the butterflies of one of the most interesting
areas of the Palaerctic are comprehensively reviewed.
Dr V. Lukhtanov writes in great detail about 400 species and numerous
subspecies, which have been shown to exist in north-west Asia. Beginning
with the original descriptions (including synonyms and disputed taxa). the
places of discovery, ecology and distribution (with a distribution map of
each species) to the differential diagnosis between similar species are
covered. The book is a marvellous publication, and an almost unlimited
source of previously unpublished information. Some new descriptions
(partim with Dr A. Dantchenko) also found their way into the book, and
they are almost revisionist in character (for example Oeneis). The 561
pictures (enlarged 1.33 to 1.5 times) on the 51 plates are after water-
colour originals of A. Lukhtanov. and are supported by a further five
APRIL 1995
COLOUR SECTION
PLATE 95E
COLOUR SECTION
APRIL 1995
Fig. 3. Pisaura mirahilis (Wolf spider) feigning death.
Fig. 4. Pisuura niiiahili.s in an alert stance.
PLATE 95F
APRIL 1995
COLOUR SECTION
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
61
plates. To show distinction between difficult species, a further 51 pictures
of genitalia preparations are presented. Genera where these come in
useful are Erebia, Oeneis, and Mellicta.
What is extremely interesting, for those interested in this particular area,
is the information about the geography and climate of this heterogenous
area.
The Bibliography and detailed species index also make this publication
a "must". It is a unique work.
The text in general is written in German, but the main parts of the
systematic part are also translated into English.
Ulf Eitschberger
The Butterflies' Fl\;-past by Clive Simson, 9 x 5V2 pp 127. Illustrated with
8 colour plates by Mandy Shepherd. ISBN 0 9520268 2 1. Peregrine
Books 1994. Hardback. Price £19.00 incl. P&P from Peregrine Books, 27
Hunger Hills Avenue, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5JS. (Tel: 0113 2585495)
Almost 30 thirty years since Clive Simson last put pen to paper with A
Bird Overhead, this life-long naturalist has now put his 80 years of
experience of butterflies into print. Not a reference book, but a collection
of reminiscences, ramblings and adventures that will entrance the reader.
The memories are roughly grouped into chapters, covering the various
families, but digression is the order of the day with this book, which
makes a very interesting read. It was refreshing to sit down again with a
new non-reference butterfly book, James Birdsall's The Bo\;s and the
Butterflies being the last I enjoyed - this book is written in a similar vein. I
don't suppose today's bug-hunters will have such fond memories of sunny
days and plenty, in forty years time. Then they will write . . . "Thursday
2nd: saw 2 io, got arrested; Friday 3rd: viciously attacked by old ladies
who saw me with a net . . ."
The price, however, is a little high for my liking at £19, but with the
book being published in a single lot of 500 which is unlikely to be
repeated, it can be considered as a limited edition and will no doubt be
much sought after in the next century. It certainly ranks well alongside
Allan, Stockley, Heslop, Newman, Birdsall and Fountaine on my
"enjoyment" shelf.
Paul Batty
62
APRIL 1995
Scuttle Flies: The Phoridae by R.H.L. Disney. Hbk. 467pp. ISBN 0 412
56520 X. Chapman and Hall 1994. £67.50.
This specialist book looks at the vast diversity of this Dipteran family. It is
an attractive book which contains extensive information on the biology of
these flies. The introduction tells the reader just what a scuttle fly is.
before launching into the book's major chapters on the egg. larval, pupal
and adult stages of the insects. The book then goes on to outline the
family ecology.
The book then outlines the practical aspects of the family. An easy to
use key of the 229 genera begins the section and deals with the
identification comprehensively. Methods of collecting, slide mounting and
marking are also covered as is the rearing and culturing of these insects.
It is an interesting book, which is well set out. Whether it is worthy of its
specialist book price is open to question, but if you can find a copy it is
well worth having a look between the covers. Wayne Jarvis
British Butterflies: Vernacular Names including forms, subspecies and
aberrations by William A. McCall. 62pp. 1994. Printed by Dolphin Press.
96 Whitehill Road, Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland. Tel: (01592) 771652.
This book is a useful aid to deciphering those common names used in
foreign texts, which we editors receive. This compilation is well
researched and easy to use, giving an at-a-glance translation of the
butterfly species found within the British Isles. As well as Scandinavian.
Portuguese, Italian, German, Dutch. Spanish, French, Gaelic and Czech
common names to name a few, the author has also included some Old
English names, often found in those early entomological books.
Aberrations are also well covered. The book is a useful addition to the
library. Wayne Jai"vis
SMALL YELLOW WAVE RECORD
by Jan Koryszko (6089)
On 26th June 1994 while beating on Millford Common. Staffordshire. I
caught a Small yellow wave {H\;drelia flammeolaria) . It has been
recorded in the nearby Cannock Chase, but is very local. Other
Staffordshire records are. Burnt Wood. Belmont. Madeley. Balterley
Heath, Chartley Moss, and Loynton Moss, where 1 saw it in 1986.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
63
A NEW SUBSPECIES OF DABASA HERCULES
(LEPIDOPTERA: PAPILIONIDAE) FROM
WUYI MOUNTAINS, CHINA
by Huang Hao
Qingdao Education College, China 266071.
Dabasa hercules splendens ssp. nov.
The nominotypical race was described by Blanchard (1871) from Tibet.
Hitherto it has also been recorded from Sichuan, Yunnan, Some authors
have treated it as a subspecies of Dabasa gyas Westwood in Burma,
Assam and east Himalaya. I have found a new subspecies of Dabasa
hercules in the Wuyi Mountains, east of China. It differs in the following
characters.
Fig. 1. Dabasa hercules splendens Huang.
64
APRIL 1995
Male
Both wings are a little broader than those of hercules, especially the
forewing. which has a somewhat longer posterior margin. The discal
yellow band is much brighter in colour and conspicuously broader
especially on the hindwing where it is inclined towards the wing-base at
the posterior margin. It does not run parallel with the row of submarginal
yellow spots as in hercules. Veins across the hindwing are not strongly
marked with black and the upperside submarginal yellow markings are
larger and closer to the outer margin. Space 2 contains a spot which is
absent in hercules.
The genitalia of the males shows a remarkably broader valva and a
larger and longer saccus. The uncus is pointed towards the apical margin
of the valva and is not folded downwards with vinculum, as in hercules.
Subspecies: DabasQ hercules splender^s
Distribution: Wuyi Mountains, east of China
Holotype: Male. Forewing length 50mm. Dazhulan, Jianyang,
Fujian Prov. of China. 1000m. 13th July 1990.
Fig. 2.
Male genitalia consisting of lateral view of genital capsule with left valva. 8th tergum and
aedeagus removed: of posterior view and lateral view of juxta.
A. ssp. splendens Huang B. ssp. hercules Blanchard
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
65
NESTS TOO DRY FOR FLEAS?
by Freda Ra\;ment (10305)
5 Chaudos Road, Staines, Middlesex TW18 SAT.
I have been interested in Siphonaptera for many years but only recently
after retirement have I been able to indulge my hobby of making
microslides of these creatures. (Funny how people look askance at me
when I mention fleas, I can't think why?)
At the end of September 1994 I decided to see if I could find any old
reed-warbler nests in an area of reed-beds, as nests can be a good source
of fleas.
However, the first thing I did find was a Harvest mouse (Microm\;s
minutus) nest, the first ever, for me, a beautifully woven nest the size of a
tennis ball and full of pink naked babies. I found two nests that were in
use, from which I hastily retired. Of the following seven 1 found, three
were derelict and 4 unoccupied, but in good shape and full of fleas! One
nest held 160 specimens, 57% of which were males (I may have missed
one or two in the counting!).
The fleas I identified were Megabothris turbidus and just one specimen
of Hystrichopsi^lla talpae T. This is a large flea (5mm long mounted) and
to a tiny Harvest mouse must seem a fearsome parasite indeed.
Now according to F.G.A.M. Smut's excellent handbook on
identification of British Siphonaptera, he says that only a few specimens
of the very common mouse-flea Ctenophthalmus nobilis have been
collected from this host due to the fact that the nests tend to be too dry for
fleas to breed in.
That certainly hasn't been my experience. 1 would be very glad to hear
from anyone else interested in the subject.
I have also recently seen (15th November) in the same swampy area A
good many dragonflies (Aeshna grandis) mated up. I watched a pair in
tandem laying eggs in the shallows, somewhat late. I thought, no doubt,
to the mild weather.
AES ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
To be held at the Royal Entomological Society of London, 41 Queen's
Gate, London on Saturday 22nd April 1995 commencing at 11.00am.
Details of how to get there are printed on the inside back cover of this
Bulletin.
66
APRIL 1995
MOTH RECORDING IN THE CZECH AND SLOVAK
REPUBLICS, 4tli - 11th SEPTEMBER 1994
by Paul Waring (4220) and Rachel C. Thomas
1366 Lincoln Road. Werrington. Peterborough PE4 6SL.
The 9th European Congress of Lepidopterology was organised for the
Societas Europaea Lepidopterologica (SEL) by the Department of
Zoology and Bee Keeping, University of Agriculture, Brno, and was held
at the Faculty of Horticulture in Lednice in the Czech Republic from 5th -
9th September 1994. During the course of the Congress we had the
opportunity to visit a number of Czech localities with lepidopterists of
many nationalities and to operate light traps at some of these. Afterwards
we drove through the Slovak Republic to the High Tatra Mountains,
encountering a variety of habitats and a few more moths in the process.
This article summarises our results and reports on the local moth
recording work to which we were introduced.
About 30 people are actively involved in recording moths in the Czech
Republic, and somewhat fewer in Slovakia, according to Drs Ivo Novak
and Karel Spitzer, two of the most active recorders of all, both of whom
have published widely. Both men are members of SEL and attended the
Congress. Ivo is perhaps best known in the UK as the author of the widely
available book A field guide in colour to butterflies and moths, published
in Britain by Octopus Books in 1980. Ivo works as a Senior Entomologist
at the Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague. Karel is an
Associate Professor at the Institute of Entomology, Czech Academy of
Sciences. He has published a number of papers, often in collaboration
with Ivo, in Czech and international journals on a range of subjects
including the use of moths as indicators in polluted or degraded
environments, ecological studies of grassland Lepidoptera and seasonal
patterns in moth abundance. He has a long-standing interest in the
ecology and conservation of the Rosy marsh moth Eugraphe subrosea
which has two sites in the Czech Republic, one on a pristine raised bog in
one of the state nature reserves in south Bohemia and the other in the
district of Ceska Lipa in north Bohemia. The moth has not been recorded
from Slovakia (I. Novak, pers. comm.). In 1982 the two men co-authored
The endangered world of insects, published in Czech, and they wrote the
species accounts included in the Czech Red Data Book of Insects
(published in 1992).
On the evening of 4th September Karel kindly took a party of congress
delegates, including ourselves, with light traps, to the Palava Hills, 11km
to the west of Lednice. The following night we light-trapped with Ivo in a
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
67
riverside location just north of Lednice and later we visited the type
locality of the Sandhill rustic Luperina nickerlii, in Prokop's Valley near
Prague. On 9th September we returned to the riverine woodland north of
Lednice with a light trap and wine ropes and on 10th September some
moths came to an actinic light at a campsite by the Mala Fatra National
Park near the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia. The results of these trips are
given in the accompanying table, and the habitats and the more
interesting species we encountered are described below.
Palava Hills
The Palava Hills are a system of limestone outcrops, part of which is
administered and managed as a state nature reserve within the Palava
Protected Landscape Area, in the Czech province of Moravia. Such
limestone areas are very restricted in Moravia but are better represented
in the Tatra area of Slovakia where we saw some spectacular formations
(Plate 95G, Fig. 5). The Palava Hills have been known and worked by
entomologists for nearly a hundred years and the butterfly and moth
fauna is comparatively well known. A full list of the species, with
accompanying notes and reference list, has just been compiled by Zdenek
Lastuvka (1994) who accompanied us on the light-trapping session and
identified the moths as they arrived. On this visit our group set up three
mercury vapour lights just before dusk and ran them until 23.45hrs.
HUNGARY
Map 1. Sites within the Czech & Slovak Republics
68
APRIL 1995
These comprised our Skinner trap and two lights operated in front of
vertical white sheets (Plate 95G. Fig. 6). all amongst grassland in the
shelter of limestone rocks. The evening was calm. warm, dry and star-lit
after a sunny day. Moths began to arrive as soon as the lights were
switched on and by the end of the evening we had about 200 moths in
our Skinner ti'ap. Species not represented in Britain but characteristic of
this habitat were the sleek grey noctuid moth Cherosotis morgaritacea
(Plate 95G. Fig. 7) and the small fawn geometrid Cataclisma riguata. We
saw several of the former at each light but only one of the latter. The
larvae of C. margaritacea, a moth of south-central and eastern Europe,
have been reported feeding in flowers of hawkweeds Hieraciurn spp.
while those of C. riguata feed on various members of the Rubiaceae
(bedstraws) (Kirby. 1903). Also present were the distinctive geometrids
Artiora euonymaria (Plate 95G. Fig. 8) and the Bordered grey
Selidosema brunnearia. The larvae of A. euonymaria feed on Spindle-
tree Euonumus europaeus, upon which we saw a couple of adults at rest.
It was interesting to see the Spotted sulphur Emmelia traheahs which is
quite a numerous species in this warm dry site. This moth was formerly a
Breckland speciality in Britain but it has not been seen there since 1960
and is presumed extinct. Good species of calcareous grassland, also
found in Britain, included the Straw belle Aspitates giluaria and the Royal
mantle Catarhoe cuculata. We recorded both the Scarce bordered straw
Heliothis armigera and "Dewick's plusia" Macdunnoughia confusa which
have occurred as migrants in Britain. The latter is resident in the Czech
Republic but the former is only a migrant, as in Britain (I. Novak, pers.
comm.). A couple of the Pale stigma Mesogona acetosellae were seen. A
single specimen was recorded in Britain in 1895. during a period of much
migrant activity. The Centre-baiTed sallow Atethmia centrago (formerly
xemmpihna) caused some excitement among the Scandinavian delegates
for they seldom see this species, which evidently is rare or absent as far
north as Finland and Sweden. Many of the other species are also
common in similar habitats in Britain (Table 1).
Riverine habitats on the banks of the River Dyje north of
Lednice
These woods and woodland edge habitats proved surprisingly
unproductive in terms of numbers of moths in comparison to the
limestone grassland habitats of the Palava Hills at the time of our visit.
This is a seasonal difference (I. Novak, pers. comm.). On the first of our
two nights at this site we operated our ti'ap on rough herb-rich grassland
AES BULLETIN, Voi.54
69
by a shrubby field boundary and mixed broadleaved woodland adjacent
to the river. The field boundaries were dominated by various sallow Salix
species and the main tree in the woodland was ash Fraxinus excelsior.
Other trees and shrubs present in these woods included hornbeam
Carpinus betulus, a lime Tilia sp., pedunculate oak Quercus robur, field
maple Acer campestre, common hawthorn Crataegus monog{;na, elder
Sambucus nigra, and hazel Corylus avellana. We also set up seven wine-
ropes on the sallows by the river. One of these wine-ropes attracted our
only Agrochola nitida. Other species absent from Britain encountered by
us here included Rhodostrophia vibicaria, a central and southern
European geometrid, the larvae of which are reported to feed on broom
C\;tisus scoparius and sloe Prunus spinosa. This moth has a delicate pink
band running over its otherwise fawn wings (Plate 95H, Fig. 9). There
were also several Hypenines or "Snouts". These included the Shaded
fan-foot Herminia tarsicrinahs and the related Polypogon tentacularius,
another small fawn "Fan-foot". The latter has not been recorded in
Britain but is common in much of Europe, except the north-west, and
extends into Asia. The Shaded fan-foot was first discovered in Britain in
1965 in Suffolk, where it is closely associated with bramble thickets Rubus
fruticosus agg.. It was interesting to see the Scarce dagger Acronicta
auricoma in this habitat. We took one at light. This species was found in
woodlands in East Kent and East Sussex in the nineteenth century and
has occurred as occasional suspected immigrants in these counties since.
The Cream-bordered green pea Earias clorana was present, just as might
be expected in similar habitat in eastern England. Nycteola asiatica and
Eucarta virgo were two more species not present in Britain but seen here.
Both are south-eastern in distribution and the latter may be a migrant
here from Hungary (Z. Lastuvka, pers. comm.). Ivo Novak had a number
of additional species not seen by us to his light on an embankment by the
river, including the Four-spotted moth Tyta luctuosa, the Spotted sulphur
£. trabealis, the Buttoned snout Hypena rostralis, the Kent black arches
Meganola albula and Athetis lepigone, an interesting local species related
to our Marsh moth A. pallustris.
The night was also memorable for the hornets Vespa crabro which
came to the lights. One of these usually docile insects stung PW in the
throat when it got caught up in his collar. The following few hours were
spent wondering if the throat would swell up until breathing became
difficult. Fortunately the injured party does not react badly to wasp stings
and the like and, in the event only a slight red swelling developed though
it felt like fire had been injected!
70
APRIL 1995
The evening of 9th September saw us back in the above woodlands.
This time we set up the trap on a track at the main entrance to the wood
and put up three wine-ropes along the wood edge, several hundred
metres from the river. The weather conditions seemed favourable. It was
calm, dry, muggy and dark. On the same night some other delegates from
the Congress saw many moths on the Palava Hills but once again the
woodlands proved quiet in terms of moth activity. The night was notable
for the appearance soon after dark of a single specimen of the yellow and
black geometrid moth Therapis (Epione) flavicaria (D. & S.) (Plate 95H,
Fig. 10) which is a speciality of south-eastern Europe, where the larvae
are said to feed on white dead-nettle Lamium album. Barry Goater
informs us that he has never seen this moth in his numerous trips around
western Europe and did not see it at the Czech sites he visited during the
Congress. Ivo Novak informs us that this species is a rarity in Moravia,
has not yet been recorded from Bohemia and that according to Hruby's
Prodromus Lepidopterorum Slouaciae, the normal flight period is from
June to August. The individual we saw was in fresh condition so it was
either a very late emergence or an unusual second generation specimen.
Mala Fatra National Park and High Tatra Mountains
At the end of the Congress we drove 250km east to see the High Tatra
Mountains, which are the western end of the Carpathian mountain range.
The scenery was certainly spectacular in the region of the High Tatras,
which are acid, granitic rocks, with conifer plantations in the foot-hills. We
chose to spend both the nights before and after our day-time drive
through the Tatras in the limestone formations of the Mala Fatra National
Park. The nights were cold. On 10th September three moths came to an
actinic light we were using for illumination by our tent on the campsite at
Trusalova on the edge of the Park. These moths comprised a Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaha and two Feathered gothics Tholera decimalis. A
Dark chestnut moth Conistra ligula came to a wine-rope, accompanied by
two Angle shades Phlogophora meticulosa. The temperature was 10°C at
dusk, falling to a minimum of 7°C during the night and there were
clearskies and a heavy dew. We were camped by a stream, amongst birch
saplings Betula sp. with ash, hornbeam, elder and spruce (Picea) present.
The evening of 11th September was spent searching unsuccessfully for
the Butterbur moth H\;draecia petasitis among the huge beds of butterbur
Petasites h\^bndus which we found growing along the riverbanks of the
valley running south from Terchova to Vratna. This valley has been
described as the most beautiful in Slovakia and the limestone pillars were
impressive (Plate 95G, Fig. 5).
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
71
Prokop's Valley, Prague
We stopped off in Prague on our return drive back to the UK. The first of
two entomological sites we visited was the Research Institute of Crop
Production where Ivo Novak has operated a light trap consistently for 26
years since 1967 and has recorded the effects of the increased
urbanisation of the surrounding land (Novak, in press). 680 species of
macro-lepidoptera have been recorded in the trap during this time. The
trap consists of a high voltage grid mounted behind a 200w mercury
vapour bulb. Any moths flying past the light are electrocuted instantly and
fall into a big funnel leading to a large jar with a chemical killing agent.
The trap is operated on the balcony of an upper storey of the main
Map 2. Location of the Prokop Valley ^ Prokop Valley
72
APRIL 1995
building complex and is a one-off design. The catch is recorded every day
and a collection of reference specimens has been accumulated at the
Institute for teaching purposes.
From the Institute we went with Ivo to see Prokop's Valley, the site
where the Sandhill rustic L. nickerlii was first described. This is an
extensive limestone gorge on the south-west edge of Prague (Plate 95H,
Fig. 12 and Map 2). Ivo had brought Barry Goater to this site about two
weeks previously and the moth was seen in numbers. A series of about
thirty specimens had been collected for comparison with the four British
subspecies of this moth and some of these were exhibited at the annual
exhibition of the British Entomological and Natural History Society the
following month. The site is well-known among Czech lepidopterists and
is frequently visited by light- trappers from Prague, consequently the fauna
is well-monitored. A list of the Lepidoptera has just been compiled by
Mares and Skyva (1993). In addition to L. nickerlii, many noteworthy
species have been recorded. These include no less than four of the moths
which are protected in Britain by the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981
and amendments) - the Viper's bugloss Hadena irregularis, the Essex
emerald Thetidia smaragdaria, the Barberry carpet Pareulype berberata
and the Black-veined moth Siona lineata. Of special note in a Czech
context are Polia serratilinea, Euxoa vitta and Ashworth's rustic Xestia
ashworthii. C. margaritacea, which we saw in the Palva Hills, is also in
Prokop's Valley and other resident species of this warm dry habitat
include the Silky wave Idaea dilutaria, the Tawny wave Scopula
rubiginata, the Bordered gothic Heliophobus reticulata and various of the
Sharks Cucullia spp. On our visit the Carthusian pink Dianthus
carthusiana was in flower amongst the grasses, along with the common
blue chicory Cichorium inti;bus. The site is currently open to public access
and is much used and valued for informal recreation. The natural history
interest of the site is appreciated locally - at least in general terms and it is
sincerely hoped that the site will be spared from the building development
which is already taking place on the surrounding land. Copies of this
article are being distributed to the relevant national conservation
authorities as a record of the conservation value of this site, which has an
international interest in the case of L. nickerlii and which is every bit as
important as the fine buildings we had the pleasure of visiting in Prague
itself.
Concluding observations:
Although we saw evidence of the environmental pollution for which parts
of eastern Europe have an unenviable reputation, such as factories
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
73
belching out choking vapours, and we experienced thick smog on
leaving Prague, there are many attractive natural features and
traditionally managed landscapes supporting much wildlife in the Czech
and Slovak Republics. Efforts are evidently being made to conserve these
and to raise awareness of their special interest. This paper is a small
contribution and a memento of a most enjoyable visit. Motoring is a joy
in these countries because the roads are good, but not crowded with
traffic. We drove round in our Skoda, overland from Britain, and got
waves from the public and caused much amusement when the right-
hand-drive and British number-plates were noticed! The people are
friendly and we had no difficulty obtaining fuel for the car, good food and
accommodation. There are many ways in which foreign tourists can help
in the survey and monitoring of wildlife in eastern Europe, from bears
and birds to butterflies, moths and other insects. SEL delegates were
supplied with the necessary permits and the good relationship established
between SEL and the conservation authorities is encouraging for the
future. British moth recorders will find that a good proportion of the
species are familiar. This was evident not only from our own experience
but also from examining year-round site lists such as those produced by
Ivo Novak. But each night's work is likely to be spiced up with a few
species you will not see in Britain, and some of the species of the south-
eastern European fauna which you will not encounter nearer to home.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Congress organisers Professors Dalibor
Povolny and Zdenek Lastuvka and all their helpers at the Lednice Faculty
of Horticulture and from the Department of Zoology and Beekeeping,
University of Agriculture, Brno; also Dr Ivo Novak of the Research
Institute of Crop Production, Prague and Dr Karel Spitzer of the Institute
of Entomology, Czech Academy of Sciences and all the SEL delegates
who made the Congress such an interesting and rewarding experience.
We would also like to thank Professor E. Klimo of the Faculty of Forestry,
University of Agriculture, Brno, who organised and led us on a guided
tour of the riverine forest on the banks of the River Dyje just north of
Lednice and Dr Josef Chytil of the Czech Institute of Nature
Conservation, Mikulov office, for taking the time to explain to us the
current programme of nature conservation in Czechia. Paul Waring
received a Travel Grant from the Royal Society to help meet his travel
costs in attending the Congress to deliver a paper entitled Strategic moth
recording for conservation purposes, to be published in the Congress
proceedings.
74
APRIL 1995
REFERENCES
Lastuvka. Z. (1993). Catalogue of Morauian-Silesian Lepidoptera. University' of Agriculture.
Brno.
- , (1994). Lepidoptera of the Protected Landscape Area Palava. University of Agriculture,
Brno.
Novak, I. (in press). Some changes in Lepidopteran fauna as a consequence of enlargement
of the capital Prague. Proceedings of the IX. European Congress of Lepidopterology.
Lednice 5th-9th September 1994.
Mares, S. and Skyva. J. (1993). The Lepidoptera of Prokop's Valley in Prague. Natura
Pragensis 10: 52-84. Prague.
Table 1
Species list for visit to the Czech and Slovak Republics. 4th - 11th September. 1994
Sept. 4 5 9 10
Vernacular name Scientific name Sites P R W M
Orange swift
Wax moth
Oak hook-tip
Buff arches
False mocha
Blood-vein
Tawny wave
Mullein wave
Riband wave
Garden caipet
Royal mantle
Common carpet
Yellow shell
Lime-speck pug
Treble bar
Scorched carpet
Latticed heath
Large thorn
Willow beauty
Bordered grey
Light emerald
Annulet
Straw belle
Convolvulus hawk
Ruby tiger
Square-spot dart
Hepialus s[;luina (Linnaeus) P R
Celypha striana (D. & S.) R
Pyrausta purpuralis (Linnaeus) R
Galleria mellonella (Linnaeus) R
Oncocera semirubella (Scopoli) P R
Drepana binaria (Hufnagel) P W
Habrosx^ne p\,ritoides (Hufnagel) R
C];clophora porata (Linnaeus) R
Timandra griseata (Petersen) P R
Scapula rubiginata (Hufnagel) R
Scopula marginepunctata (Goeze) P
Idaea auersata (Linnaeus) R W
Rhodostrophia uibicaria (Clerck) R
Catacl\;sme riguata (Hiibner)
Xanthorhoe fluctuate (Linnaeus)
Catarhoe cuculata (Hufnagel)
Epirrhoe alternata (MuUer) P W
Camptogramma bilineata (Linnaeus) P R
Eupithecia centaureata (D. & S.) PR
Aplocera plagiata (Linneaus)
Ligdia adustata (D. & S.)
Serniothisa clathrata (Linnaeus)
Therapis (Epione) flauicaria (D. & S.)
Ennomos autumnaria (Wemeburg)
Artiora euon^maria (D. & S.)
Pehbatodes rhomboidaria (D. & S.)
Selidosema brunnearia (Villers)
Campaea margaritata (Linnaeus)
Gnophos obscuratus (D. & S.)
Aspitates gilvaria (D. & S.)
Agnus conuolvuli (Linnaeus)
Phragmatobia fuHginosa (Linnaeus) R W
Euxoa obelisca (D. & S.) P
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
75
Vernacular name
Turnip moth
Dark swordgrass
Plain clay
Large yellow underwing
Lesser yellow underwing
Broad-bordered yellow underwing
Lesser broad bordered yellow u. grp.
Setaceous Hebrew character
Square -spot rustic
Pale stigma
Nutmeg
Campion
Hedge rustic
Feathered gothic
White-point
Common wainscot
L-album wainscot
Beautiful arches
Dark chestnut
Brick
Centre-barred sallow
Pink-barred sallow
Scarce dagger
Copper underwing
Svensson's copper underwing
Angle shades
Frosted orange
Vine's rustic
Bordered sallow
Scarce bordered straw
Spotted sulphur
Cream-bordered green pea
Dewick's plusia
Silver Y
Snout
Shaded fan-foot
Scientific name
Sept. 4 5 9 10
Sites P R W M
Agrotis segetum (D. & S.)
Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel)
Eugnorisma depuncta (Linnaeus)
Chersotis margaritacea (Villers)
Noctua pronuba (Linnaeus)
Noctua comes (Hubner)
Noctua fimbriata (Schreber)
Noctua janthina (D. & S.)t
Xestia c-nigrum (Linnaeus)
Xestia xanthographa (D. & S.)
Eucarta uirgo (Tr.)
Mesogona acetosellae (D. & S.)
Discestra trifolii (Hufnagel)
Hadena riuularis (Fabricius)
Tholera cespitis (D. & S.)
Tholera decimalis (Poda)
Mi^thimna albipuncta (D. & S.)
Mythimna pallens (Linnaeus)
Muthimna l-album (Linnaeus)
Blepharita satura (D. & S.)
Conistra ligula (Esper)
Agrochola circellahs (Hufnagel)
Agrochola nitida (D. & S.)
Atethmia centrago (Haworth)
Xanthia togata (Esper)
Acronicta auricoma (D. & S.)
Amphipi!ra pyramidea (Linnaeus)
Amphipijra berbera Rungs
Phlogophora meticulosa (Linnaeus)
Gortxjna flavago (D. & S.)
Hoplodrina ambigua (D. & S.)
Pyrrhia umbra (Hufnagel)
Heliothis armigera (Hubner)
Emmelia trabealis (Scopoli)
Pseudeustrotia candidula (D. & S.)
Earias chrana (Linnaeus)
Nycteola asiatica (Krul.)
Macdunnoughia confusa (Stephens)
Autographa gamma (Linnaeus)
Hypena proboscidalis (Linnaeus)
Herminia tarsicrinalis (Pvnoch)
Polypogon tentacularius (Linnaeus)
R
R
R
R W
R W
R
R
R W
R
R
R W
W
W M
W
t Of the three possible janthina-Wke spp. this was definitely janthina (det. Lastuvka)
Key to sites: P = Palava Hills; R = Riverine scrub north of Lednice; W = Riverine woodland north
of Lednice; M = Mala Fatra campsite
See text for further details.
76
APRIL 1995
Footnote
The Societas Europaea Lepidopterologica (SEL) organises a Congress on
a biennial basis and the next will be held near Madrid, Spain, in 1996.
SEL is the society for all lepidopterists interested in the butterflies and
moths of Europe in its widest sense. SEL publishes a journal and an
address list of its members. One of the primary objectives of the
organisation is to promote the recording and conservation of the
Lepidoptera on an international basis. Details of membership rates etc.
can be obtained from Barry Goater, 27 Hiltingbury Road, Chandlers
Ford, Hampshire S05 ISR.
A FURTHER NOTE ON THE PIGGY-BACK FLY
by Jan Kori;szko (6089)
Since my note in Bulletin 53: 33, of a fly piggy-back riding on a Narrow-
bordered five-spot burnet (Zygaena lonicerae latomarginata) , Mr Steven
Falk of the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry, informed me that
the fly appears to be a species of Bellardia (Onesia of the Kloet and
Hincks checklist). It is a member of the Blowfly family (Calliphoridae).
These flies are apparently predators or parasites of earthworms (see
Fauna Ent Scand. 24).
It is a fairly common fly in rough grassland, woodland and marshes,
where they are found sitting on foliage and flowers, looking like rather
dull greenbottles, the abdomen being a dull metallic green.
I guess the fly felt that a Burnet moth on a thistle was a good perch
from which to survey its surroundings; such flies are often loyal to
perches.
I would like to thank Mr Steven Falk for writing to me with this most
useful and interesting information.
1994 - A VAPOURER MOTH YEAR IN STAFFORDSHIRE
by Jan Kori;szko (6089)
On the evening of 5th September 1994, after heavy rain, I found a male
Vapourer moth (Org\;ia antiqua) on my window-sill.
It has been some years since I have encountered this species in the
Meir area. Mr R.G. Warren, the county Lepidoptera Recorder tells me he
has had reports from all over the county during 1994 and that it has not
been this common for many years in the county.
I also recorded this species at Park Hall Country Park, Weston Sprink
and Barlaston Rough Close Common. Other sightings came from
Trentham and Moddershall.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
77
60 YEARS OF THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY
Part II. 1945-54
by Wai;ne Jarvis (9899)
With the war close to an end, the activities of the Society began to
increase. The first Bulletin under the Temporary Wartime Organisation
was published in December 1944 (Volume 6 Number 66) under the
editorship of Beowulf Cooper. The first Wartime General Meeting took
place in London on 3th December 1944 and the first exhibition since
1939 was held in the capital on 5th May 1945. The Society continued to
grow at a fast rate with membership reaching 562 by July 1945.
However, with this growth came an increase in workload, particularly in
producing Bulletins, and the Society appealed to its members for help.
With the end of the War, the Society could then begin to wind up the
temporary organisation. To do this, all pre-war members of the Society
had to be informed of a Special General Meeting to "reform" the Society.
This meeting was held at Buckingham Palace Gate Central Schools,
Wilfred Street, London on 1st December 1945. Here it was decided to
amalgamate the two organisations' funds with the Society reverting to its
peacetime formation. The new Council was elected and the Society's
constitution amended.
The first "peacetime" Bulletin was published in February 1946
(Volume 7 No. 73). The editor Beowulf Cooper was finding it
increasingly difficult to find time to edit all Society matters, and so he
appealed for an assistant. In July 1946 (Volume 7 No. 76) this help was
forthcoming in the form of Brian Gardiner. Brian joined Beowulf as an
assistant editor, and his job was to edit the Bulletin. Meanwhile, Beowulf
would concentrate on more general editorial matters. The job of editor
was an arduous task (and still is!) and the Society was always on the look
out for helpers to type copy etc. At the 1947 AGM Trevor Trought agreed
to take over the editorship of the Bulletin, and he duly did with Volume 7
No. 92, July 1948. Membership by now had reached the 1000 mark
(1071 Vol 7 No. 90).
78
APRIL 1995
Volume 8 was published during 1949, and in this year came the 100th
edition of the Bulletin. Trevor Trought wrote thus:
We feel that something has been accomplished, but even more, that
something has been well begun. The Society; and its Bulletin are
now firmly established and we hope, on their u;ay to a greater and
expanding usefulness.
Membership of the Society had, however, fallen slightly to 904 (Vol. 7
No. 107), the reason for which was given as officers of the Society not
having time to carry out their tasks effectively.
Finance became a worry for the Society in the 1950s. The monthly
Bulletin was absorbing the whole of the Society's income and, therefore,
it was decided at the 1950 AGM to stop publishing the Society's Journal.
Longer items, usually published in the latter, would now be incorporated
into the Bulletin. The size of the eight-page Bulletin would also now be
limited by the funds which were available to produce it. To end 1950 on
a poor note, the exhibition was poorly attended, perhaps due to a late
change in date, but the lack of support that it received put the event's
future in doubt.
Trevor Trought continued his editorship into Volume 10 (1951) but his
appointment to an overseas post as Scientific Adviser to Jordan meant
that he was compelled to relinquish his duties. The April 1951 issue was
his last. His replacement was W.J.B. Crotch. Unlike the 1950 exhibition,
the 1951 event was a resounding success, being "perhaps the most
successful in the Society's history" (Vol. 10 No. 132 December 1951).
Attendance was very good and the day's highlights were talks given by
Major Maxwell Knight on Entomologij in relation to other branches of
natural history, Cynthia Longfield on Dragonflies (a synopsis of which can
be found in Vol. 10 No. 132) and by Mr E.E. Syms on Entomology and
the camera. Membership by the end of 1952 was 943.
Financial concerns were a major problem for the Society, but Bulletins
were continued to be published monthly. The exhibition was once again
a resounding success being "better than ever" (Vol. 11 No. 144). The
main attractions were the overseas exhibits, the silk moth group, the new
mercury vapour trap and latest breeding cages and lectures on Uses and
abuses of entomological names and terms, Burying beetles and Insect
migration. Membership levels still hovered disappointingly around the
900 mark and hence the financial concerns of the Society did not
diminish.
The groups of the Society formed over the previous few years were
going strong. There were ten in all by 1952: the Diapause study group,
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
79
the Elephant hawkmoth group, the microscopy group, the Silkmoth
group, the pupal emergence group, the blues (Lycaenidae) group, the
insect galls group, the larval colours group, the Orthoptera group and the
weevil group. Two other groups, the ecology of ponds and the cockroach
groups, were not supported fully enough for them to exist.
Volume 13 of the Bulletin saw another change in editorship. W.J.B.
Crotch persuaded Mr B.R. Stallwood to take over the reins, whilst Mr
Crotch became general editor of handbooks and leaflets. Practical hints
for the month of Bulletin publication became a regular feature. During
1954 with a few exceptions the groups began to falter. The Orthoptera
group became defunct and the weevil group obtained no support.
However, a new group - the London meetings group - was formed
during the year and held regular meetings.
The 1954 exhibition drew tremendous support in September, but
membership still only hovered around the 900 mark to the
disappointment of many.
Articles from the second decade of the Society follow:
From Volume 6, Number 68, April 1945. Page 47.
THE BLACK HAIRSTREAK
by Victor Bascombe (574)
24th June, 1944, was a beautiful day and I thought I would try for late
palaemon (Chequered skipper) and possibly for pruni (Black hairstreak)
in a favourite collecting ground in Northants. After half-an-hour's walking,
I reached what seemed to be a likely spot, and whilst waiting, primarily
for palaemon, I thought I detected a hairstreak flying round an oak tree. I
watched for some time and saw several obvious hairstreaks on the wing,
away out of reach. Eventually, I moved away to a cross-ride some forty
yards away, and after watching there for some five minutes saw a small
butterfly alight on a guelder rose. It turned out to be a male pruni in
poorish condition.
I returned in the afternoon and waited at this spot. By then the sun was
pouring on to one side of the ride and all along the top of the sloe hedges
pruni were flying. They were in very great quantity. I had to await my
chance to take them at low levels, but in the space of three and a half
hours I caught 21 - the majority of them in excellent condition. A
fortnight previously I took two albino Wood whites (L. sinapis) in perfect
condition. One had rather ill-defined wing tip markings, but in the other
they were very well defined.
80
APRIL 1995
From Volume 7, Number 91, March - May 1948. Page 192.
COLOURED LIGHTS IN A LIGHT TRAP
by A.L. Capener (6)
In order to see if lights of different colours had different powers of
attraction for insects I attempted a simple experiment with my light trap
here at Cleveland, Johannesburg, South Africa. Although the results are
too few to be statistically significant, I feel, after about seven weeks (in the
summer) of changing the colours in sequence each night, that results are
so definite it is unnecessary to carry on any longer. Here is a summary of
the totals caught: -
Watt Nights Catch
Red
40
7
4
Green
40
8
56
Orange
40
7
11
Blue
40
7
57
Ordinary
60
10
289
One night about 100 ants were caught, which are included in this latter
total. Of course all the bulbs used were the incandescent filament type,
which means that the colours were obtained by the coloured glass filtering
out the colours not seen (but in fact still being radiated by the filament
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
81
within). The result, of course, was that, although all the tinted bulbs were
rated as 40 watt bulbs, the actual candle-power emitted by the red bulb
was a mere fraction of that emitted by any other colour, and the other
colours were much less than a "white" bulb of equivalent wattage.
From Volume 9, Number 118, October 1950. Page 91.
PET MANTIS
byW.J.B. Crotch (1181)
Why not keep a mantis for a pet? An American businessman who brought
a parcel of wild woodland for the sole purpose of studying and
photographing its insect population found that a female mantis became
an amusing companion. She would walk over his desk and watch him
typing with all the appearance of absorbed interest and would practically
sit up and beg when feeding time came round!
A mantis will eat any other insect of whatever size and is a good
gardener's friend. When the supply of live prey is reduced in autumn it
can be given (pace Mr Webb) corned beef or breakfast sausage to
prolong its life until perhaps November.
From Volume 10, Number 122, February 1951. Page 14.
AN UNCOMMON GRASSHOPPER
by T.B.Poole (1681)
On 14th September [1950] I was looking for grasshoppers at St. Ives,
Bingley, Yorkshire, in a marshy field, and I found a fully-winged female of
Chorthippus parallelus Zetterstedt. The macropterous form of this species
appears to be rare in Great Britain, as, according to M. Burr (1936) in his
British Grasshoppers and their Allies, only one British specimen has been
recorded at that time, and I should be interested to know if any more
have been recorded since.
From Volume 11, Number 144, November 1951. Page 115.
A CHIRPING BEETLE
by CM. Idle (2118)
I have not seen or heard it mentioned before that Cychrus rostratus Linn,
has the ability to chirp; however, while "bug-hunting" in Fisher's Wood,
Bromley, I came across one chirping in a manner not unlike that of a
82
APRIL 1995
grasshopper in sound. It had only about half the volume of the
grasshopper chirping, was of a higher pitch, and of a smoother quality.
The beetle was lying still under a rotting log. I could not see from what
organ the chirping was coming, but it was not any of the legs. I would like
to hear other members' experiences of this and in what circumstances the
beetle does "chirp".
From Volume 12, Number 161, My 1953. Page 59.
A WASP NEST IN JANUARY
bxjB.R. Stallwood (1547)
A note in Bee Craft 36: 39 (1954) describes the finding of a "wasp nest
the size of a football, complete with queen, workers and brood in all
stages of development from eggs to young wasps ready to emerge from
their cells" on 17th January 1954.
The nest was found in the vicinity of the apiary of the Enfield (Middx.)
Beekeepers' Association. The exceptionally mild winter coupled with easy
access to food from beehives evidently encouraged the queen to continue
laying.
From Volume 12, Number 168, December 1953. Page 115.
NEW ZEALAND STICK INSECT IN DEVON
by Peter G. Taylor (719)
I should like to suggest a possible means whereby the New Zealand Stick
Insect (Bull. Amat. Ent. Soc. 12: 92-94) could have reached the Scilly
Isles. It is quite possible that a single parthenogenetic female could start a
whole colony of these insects, so that numbers do not really enter into the
problem. Also, stick insects as a group are noted for their longevity, and
are moderately cryptic in form. It would be quite easy, therefore, for an
adult female to have been brought to the Scilly Isles with the New
Zealand plants, and even for the Paignton colony to have been started in
a similar manner by one of her offspring.
As the members of both colonies would be nearly, or quite, all females
able to produce parthenogenetic female offspring, their numbers would
increase as a geometrical progression, especially in the absence of natural
enemies. Available food and adverse weather conditions would,
therefore, be the controlling factors.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
83
Diary Dates
Abbreviations
BEHNS
LCES
RES
RES(QG)
BBONT
BC
I:
British Entomological and Natural History Society.
Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
Royal Entomological Society of London.
RES Rooms, 41 Queen's Gate, London SW7.
Berks, Bucks and Oxon Naturalists' Society.
Butterfly Conservation.
Information from:
To make the diary effective contributions are needed from members. Any
relevant items should be sent to the Bulletin Editor. No charge is made for
entries. Please allow three months advance notice.
APRIL
22nd AES Annual General Meeting.
At the RES, 41 Queen's Gate, London.
I: Wayne Jarvis 01582 485820.
LCES Field Meeting
Lytham St. Annes Nature Reserve, Lanes. (SD 310305). Meet at
ll.OOhrs by the Information Centre.
I: Simon Hayhow 01253 876621 (work).
BEHNS and Somerset Moth Group Field Meeting.
Prior's Park, and Adcombe Wood SSSI, Somerset. Meet at 10.30hrs and
19.00hrs at Forest Enterprise car park (ST 228163) off the B3170.
Ancient woodland, mainly Ash. One aim is to record the White-marked
moth. Please book if you wish to attend.
I: Keith Brown 01963 32763.
29th Identifying Ants.
BEHNS (Workshop) Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst,
Reading. 10.30hrs - 16.00hrs.
I: Dr Ian McLean, Indoor Meetings Secretary, 109 Miller Way,
Brampton, Huntingdon PE18 8TZ.
84
APRIL 1995
MAY
3rd Medical and Veterinary Special Interest Group lecture.
Title to be arranged. RES(QG). Tea 17.00hrs. Meeting 17.30hrs.
I: RES 0171 581 8505.
6th BEHNS Field Meeting - Hampshire.
Rye Common. (SU 784503). Meet at ll.OOhrs and 21.00hrs. Turn right
at east end, sign-posted to electricity sub-station and park on roadside.
Mainly Oak, Ash and Beech woodland. Sparse invertebrate data.
I: Tony Davis 01252 874346.
7th Durham Entomological Fair.
Equestrian Centre, Stag Lane, Newton Aycliffe, Dadington. lO.OOhrs -
16.00hrs. Admission 50p all.
I: James Houlihan 01388 721449 or 720503.
10th RES East Region Meeting - Sugar Beet Pests.
Broom's Barn Experimental Station.
I: Dr R.C. Welsch, ITE, Monk's Wood Experimental Station, Abbots
Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambs PE17 2LS.
13th BEHNS Field Meeting - Berkshire.
Several Wokingham District Council Reserves. Meet lO.SOhrs at Dinton
Pastures Pelham Clinton Building (SU 784718) or ll.OOhrs at car park
entrance to Aldermoors (SU 773738).
I: Peter Chandler 01628 664111.
14th Entomological Livestock Group Spring Entomological Fair.
Pattishall Parish Hall, Pattishall, Towcester. ll.OOhrs - 16.00hrs.
Admission £1 & 50p.
I: Paul Batty 01909 550272.
20th LCES Field Meeting.
Ainsdale National Nature Reserve, Lanes. (SD 302111). Meet at car park
in Pinfold Lane at ll.OOhrs.
I: Steve Cross 0151 920 5718 (home) 0151 207 0001 (work).
BEHNS Field Meeting - Dunhartonshire/Strathclyde.
Blackhill Mire, Helensburgh. Meet 14.30hrs and 20.00hrs at car park by
reservoir (NS 305838). Mire with cotton-grass, heather, bilberry, gorse
and birch.
I: Richard Sutcliffe 0141 3052660.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
85
27th BEHNS Field Meeting - Berkshire.
Dinton Pastures. Meet at ll.OOhrs and 20.00hrs at the Pelham Clinton
building (SU 784718). Range of terrestrial and aquatic habitats and
chance to see the Loddon lily in flower.
I: Andrew Halstead 01483 489581.
29th Butterfly Walk.
Walk around Neumann's and Ashton's Flashes and Marbury No. 1 Tank,
Northwich, Cheshire to see early summer butterflies. Meet Marston
entrance along Ollershaw Lane at ll.OOhrs. Bring packed lunch. Witton
Conservation Group meeting.
I: Paul Hill 01565 722928.
JUNE
3rd BEHNS Field Meeting - Hampshire.
Alice Holt Forest. Meet at 10.40hrs at the Lodge Enclosure car park on
Gravel Hill Road (SU 802435). Beetles (incl. aquatic spp.) will be main
interest of the day but rich site for Lepidoptera and other orders.
I: David Lonsdale 01420 83742 (home) 01420 22255 (work).
BEHNS Field Meeting - Dorset
Yellow Ham Wood, Dorchester. Meet at lO.SOhrs and 20.00hrs at lay-by
on minor road signposted Troytown (SY 730934). Rare Diptera.
I: Mick Parker 01305 788380.
4th Creepy Crawlx; Show IV.
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham. 12.00hrs - 17.00hrs.
Admission £1 & 50p.
I: Oldham Museum 0161 678 4649.
7th RES Annual Meeting and President's Invitation Lecture.
RES(QG). Tea 17.00hrs. Meeting 17.30hrs.
I: RES 0171 581 8505.
10th Joint LCES and Underwings Field Meeting.
Millers Dale, Derbyshire. Meet at car park (SK 139733) at ll.OOhrs.
I: Jon Delf 01829 250411.
23rd BEHNS Field Meeting - South London.
Nunhead Cemetery. Meet ll.OOhrs at the cemetery gate in Linden
Grove (2 mins from Nunhead Station) (TQ 353737). MV Session at
21.00hrs.
I: Richard Jones 0171 732 2440. Please contact if wishing to attend
MV session.
86
APRIL 1995
24th The West of England Creepy Crawly Show.
Newton Abbot Racecourse, Devon. Major Herpetological and
Entomological Show for captive breeders and conservationists in the
West Country.
To book space or I: 01626 332775.
JULY
1st LCES Field Meeting
Little Budworth Common, Oulton, Cheshire (SJ 588655). Meet ll.OOhrs
in car park (with toilets) near to the Lodge Corner gates of Oulton Park
race track.
I: Bill Hardwick 01606 594778.
5th RES Annual Meeting and the President's Invitation Lecture.
RES Queen's Gate (QG).
I: RES 0171 584 8361.
15th LCES Field Meeting.
Whixall Moss, Shropshire (SJ 496365). Chance to visit this famous
entomological site, now taken over by English Nature. Meet ll.OOhrs at
grid reference, just over the canal swing bridge.
I: David Poynton 01625 829189.
21st/ Grand Moth and Butterfly Event.
22nd Warburg Reserve, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Moth trapping
overnight on Friday 21st - meet at Warburg Reserve car park (SU
720880) at 22.30hrs. Saturday meet at 10.30hrs at car park to see the
catch from the previous night, followed by a guided walk led by the
reserve warden to look for butterflies and day-flying moths. Joint meeting
with BC and BBONT.
I: Martin Harvey 01635 550380 (work).
28th Moth trapping at Thatcham, Berkshire.
Looking for the Scarce burnished brass and others at Thatcham
reedbeds. Meet at Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre at 20.30hrs. Joint
BC and BBONT meeting. Please book in advance.
1: Thatcham Discovery Centre 01635 874381.
BUTTERFLY
CONNECTIONS
LIVESTOCK
Butterflies, Moths, Stick Insects
PAPERED & SET SPECIMENS
ENTOMOLOGICAL EQUIPMENT
CATALOGUE 1995
Free on request
"Caribana", Silver Street, Misterton,
Somerset TA18 8NH, England
Tel: (01460) 73586
Fax: (01460) 78444
ENTOMOLOGICAL
MAY 14
PATTISHALL PARISH HALL
PATTISHALL, TOWCESTER
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
*MAIN LIUESTOCK DEALERS ATTENDING '
^BUTTERFLY/MOTH LIVESTOCK. INSECTS
*SPIDERS. SPECIMENS. PLANTS. SEEDS *
* NETS 8c EQUIPMENT *
* OPEN 11am- 4pm *
REFRESHMENTS
AVAILABLE
ADULTS £1 KIDS 50P
E.LG. CARDHOLDERS
ONLV 50p
Tel: 01909 550272
Oont
Miss ftl
BRITISH ENTOMOLOGICAL
AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
Registered charity number: 213149
Founded in 1872, the Society holds regular lecture meetings in London and the well-
known ANNUAL EXHIBITION will be held at Imperial College, London SW7, on
Saturday 28th October 1995; this will be followed by the ANNUAL DINNER.
The Society maintains a library and collections at its headquarters at Dinton Pastures,
which is open to BENHS members at various times each fortnight. Frequent field
meetings are held at weekends in the summer. Visitors are welcome at all
meetings.
The current programme card can be had on application to: the Secretary: R.F.
McCormick, 36 Paradise Road, Teignmouth Devon TQ14 8NR.
The Society publishes British Journal of Entomology and Natural History, a
quarterly journal of entomological articles, short communications, meeting reports, book
reviews, etc. The Journal is free to BENHS members. For a sample copy contact: the
Editor, Richard A. Jones, 13 Bellwood Road, Nunhead, London SE15 3DE. Tel: 0171-732
2440. Fax: 0171-277 8725.
The Society has published several books including: A field guide to the smaller British
Lepidoptera, edited by A.M. Emmet (288pp, paperback £18, hardback £22.50, + £1.80
p.&p.); British hoverflies: an illustrated identification guide, by A.E. Stubbs and S.J.
Falk (270pp, 12 col. plates, hardback, recently reprinted, £26 + £2.80 p.&p.). BENHS
For further details contact:
the Sales Secretary: R.D. Hawkins, 30d Meadowcroft Close, Horley, Surrey RH6 9EL.
For membership application details contact:
the Membership Secretary: A. Godfrey, 10 Moorlea Drive, Baildon, Shipley,
West Yorkshire BD17 6QL
A NEW REPRINT FROM THE
AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY
PRACTICAL HINTS FOR THE FIELD LEPIDOPTERIST by J.W.Tutt
Written in three parts at the turn of the century, this book has been reprinted
because it still represents the most comprehensive field guide covering both
macro and microlepidoptera. Parts I to III all give a month by month guide to
which species and stages to look for and how to find them. Part III also contains
an extensive biological account of the early stages and how to keep, rear and
describe them. 422 pages, Hardback. (Reprinted 1994). A separate supplement
has been prepared which cross-references old to current scientific names and the
English names of the species covered. Total price only £21.00.
OTHER TITLES AVAILABLE FROM THE A.E.S. INCLUDE
Habitat Conservation for Insects - A Neglected Green Issue
(Hardback 262 pages, 15 figures+ 32 pages colour plates) £12.00
A Lepidopterists Handbook (136 pages, 32 figs, 13 plates) £7.50
Breeding the British Butterflies (60 pages. 6 figures, 5 plates) .... £3.95
Breeding the British and European Hawkmoths (56 pages) £3.95
Practical Hints for Collecting and Studying
Microlepidoptera (40 pages. 11 figures) £3.40
An Amateurs Guide to the Study of the Gentalia of Lepidoptera (16pp) . £2.35
A Silkmoth Rearers Handbook (Hardback. 225pp + 32 colour
plates showing 74 photographs of larvae and adult moths) £13.75
Killing, Setting and Storing Butterflies and Moths (19 pages) .... £2.85
TheStudy of Stoneflies. Mayflies and Caddis Flies (44 pp, 10 figs.) . . £3.40
Collecting and Studying Dragonflies (24 pages, 12 figs, 2 plates) . . . £2.35
The Hymenopterists Handbook (226 pages, illustrated) £8.50
Revised Flight Tables for the Hymenoptera (24 pages) £2.00
A Coleopterists Handbook (Hardback, 300 pages, illustrated) . . . . £15.50
Host plants of British Beetles (24 pages) £2.00
A Dipterists Handbook (260 pages, illustrated) £9.50
Rearing and Studying Stick and Leaf-Insects (73 pp. 43 figs. 17 plates) . £5.00
Rearing and Studying the Praying Mantids (22 pages, 9 plates) .... £2.85
Rearing Crickets in the Classroom (12 pages. 2 plates) £1.80
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CONTENTS
R.A. Jones. Mate-guarding in ClusiafJaua (Meigen) (Diptera: Clusiidae) 38
RA. Jones. Feigned death in the Wolf spider Pisaura mirabilis (Clerk) 41
T.B. Larsen. Butterflies in Kakum National Park, Ghana. Part II. Nymphalidae and
Hesperiidae 43
F. Seow-Choen. Two more gynandromorphs of the Malayan jungle nymph,
Heteropteryx dilatata (Phasmida) with notes on captive behaviour 49
Huang Hao. Erection of a new genus for the "dubernardi-group" and a new species
of Pieridae (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in China 53
Huang Hao. A new subspecies Dabasa hercules (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) from Wuyi
Mountains, China '. 63
P. Waring and R.C. Thomas. Moth recording in the Czech and Slovak Republics, 4th -
nth September 1994 66
W.J. Jarvis. 60 years of the Amateur Entomologists' Society. Part II. 1945-54 77
Short Communications
R. Goff. Cannibal Ladybirds 35
G. Hancock. Handkerchiefs in Trinidad and Tobago (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) 36
C. Raper. Moth sightings in 1994 37
H. Kay. A Migration puzzle 40
J. Koryszko. A visit to Whixall Moss 42
D. McNamara. Discovering Newnham-on-Severn: The Scarlet tiger (Callimorpha
dominula L.) 47
R. Frost. Another Midlands Monarch 48
J. Koryszko. Late emergence 48
M. Ashworth. Hilltopping behaviour of the Swallowtail butterfly {Papilio machaon) in
the Lechtaler Alps, Austria 52
J. Koryszko. The Latticed heath in Staffordshire 58
J. Badmin. A request for froghopper records 59
J. Koryszko. Small yellow wave record 62
F. Rayment. Nests too dry for fleas? 65
J. Koryszko. A further note on the piggy-back fly 76
J. Koryszko. 1994 - A Vapourer moth year in Staffordshire 76
Book Reviews
Die Tagfalter Nordwestasiens [Butterflies of north-west Asia] 60
The butterflies' fly-past 61
Scuttle flies: The Phoridae 62
British butterflies: Vernacular names incl. forms, subspecies and aberrations 62
Diary Dates 83
NOTICE
It is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theories, expressed in the pages of this Journal are solely those
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responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance thereon.
© 1995. The Amateur Entomologists' Society.
(Registered Charity No. 267430)
All rights reserved.
Published 10th April 1995 by the Amateur Entomologists' Society
(Registered Charity No. 267430), from 4 Steep Close. Orpington, Kent BR6 6DS.
Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd., 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA.
ISSN 0266-836X
'''09
Volume 54, No. 400, June, 1995
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The Bulletin
of the Amateur
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Society
EDITOR
WAYNE JARVIS BSc.
The Amateur Entomologists' Society
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AES BULLETIN
No. 400
EDITORIAL
The AES reaches it's first milestone of the year with this issue of the
Bulletin, the 400th edition. Over the years the Bulletin has played a major
role in the Society's history, and hopefully, will continue to do so in years
to come.
The AGM was once again a very enjoyable event, and thanks must go
to Colin Hart for his organisation as well as our two speakers Richard
Jones and Michael Majerus who gave us an amusing and fascinating
insight into their work! It was disappointing that so few members
attended, this will hopefully be rectified next year!
Of course the AGM saw the departure of Brian Gardiner and Simon
Fraser from Council. Both have contributed substantially to the Society
and we thank them for their hard work over the years. The Secretary
position is temporarilyheld by myself and all correspondence should be
forwarded to me at the address on the inside front cover.
Best wishes for the bug-hunting season!
Wayne Jarvis
AES
Annual Exhibtion
Saturday, 7th October, 1995
at Kempston Park Racecourse
Open ll.OOhrs to 16.30hrs.
88
JUNE 1995
GREY SAND-COVERED BUG: A REQUEST FOR HELP WITH
IDENTIFICATION
by Michael G. Guye (10024)
1 rouie d-.. Gz: ^-'c'-. 'v':''r.c^r.;':5. 33650 Czbzrzc s: V:''zp-z:rs. r'-ance.
Plate 951. Fig. 1. depicts a gi-ey-coloured insect, resembling a bug. which
is occasionally found here during ihe summer momhs. It is approximately
one centimen-e long and its body (including legs and antennae' is covered
with very fine sand gi"ains and other minute panicles of debris. Some of
these particles appear to rub off if the insect gets wet. It moves in shon
rapid bursts of one to two centimen'es in length and is found amongst the
roofing tiles iold Roman tiles made of baked clay) of a dilapidated barn
which adjoins our house.
The "roof habitat", where the above is found, heats up considerably in
summer. It contains an abundance of humus and unrotted material,
composed mainly of oak leaf litter, twigs and acorns, due to the presence
of nearby pedunculate oak ti'ees. During the wener periods of the year
this humus suppons a "lawn" of shon green vegetation, though it dries up
completely in summer. Other invertebrates in this habitat include an
abundance of woodlice itwo species'', springtails. centipedes, and a small
snail species with a cone-shaped shell. The common wall lizard ^Podarcis
niuralis^ and the western whip snake ^Coluber viridiflavus^ also frequent
this habitat.
Jones '1983^ illusti-ates the haivestman. Anelasmocephalus cambridgei
(Arachnida: Opiliones: Trogulidaei. which has a similar habit of covering
its body with particulate matter. I assume that the function of this
behaviour is either to provide camouflage against predators and or to
conceal itself more efficiently from potential prey. The latter interpretation
assumes that my find may be a type of assassin bug (Heteroptera:
Redui'iidae I look foiivard to hearing fi'om any readers who may be able
to identify this insect. Any additional details would also be greatly
appreciated.
REFERENCE
Jones. D. (1983). Spiders of Britain and Northern Europe. Country Life Books, Hamlyn.
Middlesex. England 1994. 320pp.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
89
SOME CRICKET SPECIES (ORTHOPTERA:
TETTIGONIIDAE, GRYLLIDAE AND GRYLLOTALPIDAE)
FOUND IN SOUTH-WESTERN FRANCE: OBSERVATIONS
UNDER FIELD AND CAPTIVE CONDITIONS
by Michael G. Guye (1 0024)
Warm summer nights, here in the village of Villagrains, are often
associated with the enchanting hypnotic sound of churring crickets. For a
while it is easy to forget the surrounding monotony of maritime pine
plantations and to imagine that I am in some far-off exotic tropical
location. If one listens carefully several different "signatures" may be
discerned. The experience led me to investigate this insect order which
resulted in some rather unexpected observations.
Species identification
Most of the observations reported here were made during the period
1993-94, though some casual unrecorded observations began back in
1991. Species were identified with the aid of the field guides of Bellmann
(1985) and Chinery (1993). In cases where identification was not straight-
forward, reference was made to a much more comprehensive guide on
orthopteran taxonomy (Chopard, 1951). Three different families were
identified, i.e. the Tettigoniidae (bush-crickets and cone-heads), the
Gryllidae (true-crickets) and the Gryllotalpidae (mole-crickets). I found all
species in my garden with the exception of a field-cricket and two mole-
crickets which were brought to me by children from the village. The
species identified were as follows:
1 route du Gat Mort, ViUagrains, 33650 Cabanac et ViUagrains, France.
TETTIGONIIDAE
Conocephalus discolor (Thunberg)
Leptoph\;es punctatissima (Bosc)
Meconema thahssinum (De Geer)
Phaneroptera falcata (Scopoli)
PhoHdoptera griseoaptera (De Geer)
Platycleis sp. (Fieber)
Ruspolia nitidula (Scopoli)
Tettigonia uihdissima (L.)
long-winged cone-head
speckled bush-cricket
oak bush-cricket
sickle-bearing bush-cricket
dark bush-cricket
grey bush-cricket group
large cone-head
great green bush-cricket
90
JUNE 1995
GRYLLIDAE
Gr\;llus campesths (L.)
Nemobius syluestris (Bosc)
field-cricket
wood-cricket
GRYLLOTALPIDAE
Gr\;Uota}pa gr[;Uotalpa (L.)
mole-cricket
FRENCH COMMON NAMES
The bush-cricket and cone-head family are rather confusingly translated
into French as "les sauterelles" which means "grasshoppers". French
common names, where they occur, are as follows (in parentheses): R.
nitidula (le conocephale gracieux), T. uiridissima (la grande sauterelle
verte), G. campestris (le gril, riqueu or cricri) and G. gr{;llotalpa (la
courtiliere or le grillon taupe).
Brief description of habitats where captures were made
The habitats where the species were found may be divided into three
broad categories and reference has been made to these under the
discussion of individual cricket species. The habitats are as follows:
(a) shrub/hedge habitat - composed of rose, bramble, elm (Ulmus
carpinifolia) , laurel, and yew hedge mixtures which are shaded or
semi-shaded by pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), sweet chestnut
and some coniferous trees (spruce and cedar). This habitat is
located, along with the house, at street level at a crossroad junction.
(b) dry-slope habitat - represented by dry south-west and west facing
sunny banks at the back of the house. Characteristic plant species are
white campion (Silene alba), greater celandine(Che//don!um majus).
dwarf mallow (Malua neglecta) and bracken (Pteridium aquihnum).
Following the removal of several large false acacia trees {Robinia
pseudoacacia) , the stumps, which in most cases are hollow, have
been left in the ground to increase habitat diversity. The sunny banks
have moderate to steep gradients and slope down to the damp
meadow habitat.
(c) damp-meadow habitat - represented by an open sunny to shaded
damp/marshy meadow located on a slight gradient of about 25
metres in length. The lowermost part is located approximately five
metres below street level. Characteristic plant species are great
horsetail {Equisetum telmateia). sedges (Carex spp.). buttercup
(Ranunculus spp.), and a mint species (possibly Mentha suaveolens).
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
91
One of the sunniest areas contains a carpet of bugle [Ajuga reptans)
in association with cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis) and ragged
robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi). A small stream, known locally as La
Gravette, traverses the lowermost part of the damp-meadow habitat
alongside of which is a dominant mixture of willow (Salix aurita and
S. cinerea), elder (Sambucus nigra) and alder [Alnus sp.).
Both the dry-slope and damp-meadow habitats are managed by
occasional scything to prevent the more invasive species (i.e. bracken,
brambles, false acacia, horsetails and nettles) becoming predominant,
thereby encouraging plant (and consequently insect) diversity. Nettles
(Urtica dioica) are abundant in all three habitats. A wide range of grass
species is found in both the dry-slope and damp-meadow habitats.
Climate and soil
The regional climate is predominately oceanic with an annual
precipitation of around 800 to 900mm. Snow is very rare, occurring
perhaps once every ten years (e.g. the last time was winter 1985/86).
Summers can be very hot (30° to 35 °C) and a drought occurs most years
during July and August: during this period the damp-meadow habitat
generally remains moist and the stream stops flowing, though the latter
may dry up completely some years (e.g. Summer 1991). Winter frosts are
common in the Bordeaux area, though the microclimate peculiar to
Villagrains (located, as the crow flies, approximately 30km south of
Bordeaux and 50km east of the Atlantic coast) means that such frosts can
be both later (i.e. mid-May) and more severe (i.e. some nights at -6° to
-8°C every winter) than neighbouring areas. However it is extremely rare
that winter daytime temperatures descend below 0°C, with the result that
the activity of some insect species can be observed throughout winter
during sunny weather.
The soil is predominately a sandy acidic type (podsol). However
outcrops of clay or limestone do occur in the region. Though a podsol is,
in agricultural terms, an extremely poor soil, maritime pine (Pinus
pinaster) grows well here. In south-western France this forestry crop
occupies an area of 900,000 hectares extending over the departments of
the Gironde, Landes and Lot-et-Garonne. This represents the largest area
of artificial forest in Europe. The "poor" soil is however host to a
relatively rich variety of plant-life in the few relatively undisturbed areas
which are not over-managed by man, and this may in turn be expected to
support a relatively rich insect fauna.
92
JUNE 1995
Climate and species distribution
The eleven cricket species I found appear to occur throughout France
(Chinery, 1993: Chopard, 1951). In Britain R. nitidula and P. falcata
appear to be absent, while the others listed above are generally rare and
restricted to the coastal areas of southern England (Bellmann, 1985)
suggesting a requirement for a mild climate. However P. ghseoaptera
appears to be an exception being found as far north as southern Scotland
(Bellmann, 1985).
Despite the occurrence of late spring frosts in Villagrains, the species I
found are generally common here. Chinery (1993) catalogues 36 species
of Tettigoniidae and ten species of Gryllidae for France and Western
Europe. Since ten of these species were found with relative ease it is
suggested that a more comprehensive search, particularly in milder
neighbouring areas (i.e. areas without regular late spring frosts), such as
the dune areas of the Atlantic coast, may reveal the presence of further
species.
In France, R. nitidula is now protected in the Ile-de-France region
(Anon, 1994), while in Britain G. campestris and G. gr^llotalpa are
protected (Fry, 1991).
Observations under field and captive conditions
Conocephalus discolor
C. discolor is found occasionally in the damp-meadow habitat associated
with sedges. The nymph is easily recognisable by a black dorsal stripe.
Leptophyes punctatissima (Plate 951, Fig. 2)
I often observe L. punctatissima on rose or bramble in the bush/hedge
habitat. Armed with a torch one summer night at around 11pm, I
discovered a group (more than six) feasting on the green unripe seeds of
nettle plants growing around a rose bush. On two occasions I saw a
female feeding on the reproductive organs (stamens and stigmas) of
flowers of some cultivated ornamentals of the Compositae family (see Fig.
1). It may be that the high protein content of these plant organs provides
an important source of nutrition for egg production? Comments please.
I have particularly enjoyed keeping L. punctatissima in captivity, partly
because it is not overactive (unlike T. uiridissima) and its food
requirements are simple, feeding readily on bramble and rolled oats. Two
males and two females were placed in an aquarium which already
contained a culture of local stick insects [Clonopsis gallica). the latter also
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
93
being fed on bramble. Both insect species appeared to cohabit without
any problems.
In captivity the mating behaviour of L. punctatissima was easily
observed, being particularly amusing to watch. The female always
appeared to make the initial move, and could be very insistent in the case
of a non-obliging male, who either simply ignored the female or turned
away in the case of excessive "sexual harassment" .
L. punctatissima has an extremely faint chirp, whose song can only
really be heard if you are standing within very close range and in the
absence of other interfering background sounds. In captivity this species
survived long after the last sightings were observed outdoors.
Meconema thalassinum
M. thalassinum was found by chance in the shrub/hedge habitat resting
on the underside of leaves of an old elm hedge growing near a
pedunculate oak tree. Another time, late at night, one flew through an
open kitchen window, no doubt attracted by light. Attraction to light at
night has also been reported by Chinery (1993).
Phaneroptera falcata
P. falcata was seen less frequently than most of the other species. Found
on taller vegetable cover (e.g. false acacia re-growth) in the slope habitat.
Pholidoptera griseoaptera
P. griseoaptera was found mainly amongst low-growing vegetation in the
damp-meadow habitat. I found this species easy to keep in captivity,
though a word of warning - don't keep it the bedroom: its monotonous
chirping will keep you awake all night! Fed readily on rolled oats though
also preyed on small grasshoppers in its aquarium. Stridulates both day
and night, males often replying in alternation with each other.
During late July, a captive P. griseoaptera was observed attempting to
oviposit into a thin covering of bark on a small branch of false acacia. It
was obviously having difficulties and after several attempts gave up. False
acacia bark from large trunks is a thick and fairly soft corky type of
material and so I thought that this might provide a more suitable substrate
for egg-laying. Indeed ovipositor insertion into a small thick piece of false
acacia bark (approximately 2cm^) was subsequently observed. The
ovipositor was inserted and then withdrawn either partially or completely,
and then immediately re-inserted, the process being repeated several
times over a period of approximately five minutes. Insertion of the
ovipositor occurred in an orientation which was parallel to the natural
94
JUNE 1995
plane of cleavage of the bark. Following ovipositor insertion the base of
the abdomen was seen to make rhythmic pumping movements,
presumably to aid egg deposition into the bark. The bark sample was
later cut open and an oval flat-shaped egg was found measuring 4.8mm
(length) x 1.4mm (width) x 0.7mm (thickness). It had a colour best
described as pale (somewhere between white and a light sandy-brown
colour).
Plafycleis sp. - possibly P. intermedia (Plate 95J. Fig. 3)
A Platycleis species was found only once in the four years that I have
been living here. It was a female with one hindleg miissing (Plate 95J. Fig.
3) found on the south-east-by-east facing wall of the house in dappled
morning sunlight (14th August 1994) near the bush hedge habitat. Exact
species identification was uncertain. It fed on rolled oats in captivity.
From head to abdominal tip (excluding ovipositor) my find measured
27mm, the ovipositor an additional 14mm. The wings were 31mm long,
extending beyond the ovipositor tip by approximately 5mm. The dorsal
side of the head and pronotum were reddish-brown. Overall body
coloration was brown.
Chinery (1993) identifies the female of three species oi Plat\;cleis by the
shape and length of the ovipositor. Ovipositor lengths (in parentheses) of
these species are as follows: P. albopunctata (8-1 1mm). P. tessellata
(4-6mm) and P. affinis (13-16mm). Chinery also states that P. affinis
(20-25mm body length) resembles a large P. albopunctata. the latter
quoted elsewhere as having a body length of 18-22mm (Bellmann 1985).
though with the difference that in the former the vein running along the
sharp fold of the forewing. just behind the pronotum. is distinctly yellow.
The large ovipositor (14mm) and body length (27mm) of my specimen
suggest that it may have been a P. affinis. However an examination of the
forewing. following mild sedation with diethyl-ether. did not reveal the
yellow coloration mentioned by Chinery. Following release of the
specimen I discovered a very detailed book on orthopteran taxonomy by
Chopard (1951). He describes seven species and six sub-species of
PIat\;cieis. Unfortunately 1 no longer had the specimen for reference,
though based on the measurements and photograph I had taken it
appears that I may have possibly captured a P. intermedia (Serv.).
Chopard (1951) cites this species as being found in south-western France.
Ruspolia nitidula
Both green and sandy-brown coloured forms of R. nitidula were found in
the dry-slope habitat, each form corresponding with the colour of the
background vegetation. Very abundant during summer 1994. I was
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
95
surprised to find a nymph of 20mm in length in September. Searches for
this species on the 5th October, and thereafter during 1994, yielded no
specimens.
R. nitidula appears to prefer an undisturbed relatively tall low-growing
vegetation (i.e. 30-50cm in height) to a shorter managed cover. For
example, a dry slope on the west-facing side of the house which had only
been scythed in May showed an abundance of R. nitidula adults in
August amongst a cover of bracken and tall grasses. Towards the end of
August, a second scything was carried out. Within 24 hours of this
scything, which reduced the cover to a height of approximately 50mm, R.
nitidula had migrated to the surrounding uncut cover. In general I found
this species by walking through low-growing vegetation in areas where
they were known to be abundant, the disturbance causing them to jump
and consequently be spotted with relative ease.
Tettigonia viridissima
A very impressive cricket owing to its large size. Appears to be very
common and found in a wide range of habitats (damp-meadow and dry-
slopes) on either low-growing vegetation, bushes or trees. Found by
disturbing low-growing vegetation as described above for R. nitidula.
Alternatively you can patiently stalk a chirping adult: I have succeeded in
doing this on a few occasions and have managed observations from as
close as 30cm without disturbing it.
During 1992 and 1994 adults of T. viridissima were noticed from the
8th July and the 26th June onwards, respectively. I was particularly
surprised to find a nymph of this species on the 29th March 1994 on a
grass stalk exposed to early evening sunshine on a south-west facing
slope. Reference to the colour plates of Bellmann (1985), illustrating the
life-cycle of T. viridissima, suggested that this nymph was either in its first
or second instar. Bellmann depicts first and second instar nymphs, found
during May in Pfullingen (Saxony, Germany). Pfullingen is at a latitude
which is approximately 450km further north than Villagrains and,
considering its geography, would be expected to have a typically
continental climate. Nevertheless the difference of two months in the time
of first appearance of the nymphs between Pfullingen and Villagrains
would appear to be considerable. However, I should add that there were
only two nights of frost in Villagrains during spring 1994, both being
about -2°C (early March and again in mid-April). In addition, winter
1993/94 was particularly mild, e.g. during this period our wood-stove
only consumed two-thirds of the normal winter fuel provision for
domestic heating. Therefore the unusually mild weather of winter
96
JUNE 1995
1993/94 and spring 1994 may have accounted for the appearance of a T.
uiridissima nymph in March.
In general I found this species too difficult to keep in captivity. Two
males and two females were captured during July 1993 and placed in a
relatively large cage (an aquarium of about 50cm height x 50cm length
and 25cm width, with netting as a cover) which contained branches and
some potted plants. However, the species proved to be too active for
confinement. Its incessant and rapid walking movements would be
interrupted by random jumps which would frequently result in collisions
with the glass sides. The only time I had some success was with a female
found in late autumn. This specimen was relatively slow-moving as it was
probably near the end of its life. For the few days it was kept in captivity,
prior to its release, it showed none of the "hyper-activity'' observed in the
previous specimens captured in July and appeared to settle down quietly.
It fed readily on rolled oats and white "fishing" maggots (bluebottle
larvae), the latter bought from a local fishing tackle suppliers.
Gryllus campestris
A dead G. campestris was bought to me for identification by local
children.
Nemobius s\jluestris
N. syluestris was very common, found moving in short rapid bursts across
the surface of leaf litter around pedunculate oak and sweet chestnut trees
in open sunny, dappled and shaded dry areas. Kept in captivity for a
short while where it was supplied with oak litter (a mixture of leaf, bark
and acorn litter) and fed on rolled oats. However, it was rarely seen in
captivity since it hid most of the time within the litter though its
continuous gentle "purring" could be heard both day and night.
Grijilotalpa gr\;llotalpa
G. gryliotalpa was found and brought to me on two occasions by local
children. In captivity it refused to feed on rolled oats. The first specimen
died within 24 hours of capture and was subsequently preserved in a jar
containing 70% ethanol. Its death was not due to desiccation since a
damp tissue was placed in its plastic container to maintain a relatively
high humidity, since it was assumed that a soil-dwelling cricket would
need this environmental condition to survive. While in its plastic container
it made digging movements with its large mole-like front legs despite the
absence of soil. The second specimen was released within an hour of
capture since I did not want a repeat of the previous unfortunate incident!
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
97
Unexpected observations
(a) An "albino" L. punctatissima?
One evening a female cricket was found feeding on unripe green seeds of
nettle plants in the shrub/hedge habitat. However, I was unable to make
an identification based on either general body colour or form. It had all
the general external characteristics of L. punctatissima except for two
things: first, the mottled green colour was replaced with a mottled pale-
white coloration; and second, the base of the ovipositor was not located
at the abdominal tip but arose from slightly beneath the abdomen. The
result was that walking for this individual looked an awkward and clumsy
affair with the outer lower curve of the ovipositor dragging on the surface
on which the insect was walking. Could this be a mutant of L.
punctatissima? Since its colour did not reflect that of its foodplant or
general background it would appear to have been fortunate to have
survived to adulthood since its light coloration would make it conspicuous
to potential predators. In addition its slow and clumsy walking
movements, due to the dragging of its ovipositor, would make it an easy
target. It was kept in captivity from September to February of the
following year. It fed on brambles. My one regret was that no photograph
was taken of this oddity!
(b) Stick-insect eggs - an unusual food source?
M. thalassinum and R. nitidula were kept for a few days in the cage
containing both the stick-insects and L. punctatissima (including the
"albino'Torm) and then released. During cleaning and removal of the
frass and stick-insect eggs the following year a curious observation was
made. The majority of stick-insect eggs had been eaten into from one side
and the contents removed. On noting this I searched the cage for an
invertebrate, that may have been introduced inadvertently, which might
have been responsible for this egg predation. In the absence of any such
intruder I can only conclude that either M. thalassinum, R. nitidula or L.
punctatissima, or any combination of these species, predated the eggs.
Bellmann (1985) mentions that L. punctatissima feeds almost entirely on
plants while M. thalassinum is entirely predaceous, feeding nocturnally on
small insects, suggesting that this cricket is a possible candidate. Neither
Bellmann (1985) nor Chinery (1986) mention the food source of R.
nitidula: I did not observe this species feeding in captivity. Do any readers
know of any cases of stick-insect egg predation by crickets or by any other
insect species?
98
JUNE 1995
(c) Unusual egg-laying behaviour
Under captive conditions curious egg-laying behaviour was found for
three cricket species, though this was only observed directly in one of
these, namely P. griseoaptera.
(i) Attempted oviposition into silicone rubber
A female P. griseoaptera was seen walking up and down a length of
the silicone rubber sealant (a transparent type of adhesive used for
constructing aquariums) on the inside of the aquarium attempting to
oviposit into the sealant! The mechanical resistance of the sealant
would foil its efforts and, in apparent frustration, the cricket would
repeatedly bite and attempt to pull chunks out of the sealant with its
mandibles. The elastic sealant would make a ''pinging" sound as it
resisted the tugging. Though this failed it would repeat this cycle of
attempting oviposition and biting/tugging.
(ii) Egg-laying in paper-towel (Plate 95J, Fig. 4)
At the time of cleaning out the aquarium (used also for the stick-
insects) a further unusual observation awaited me. 1 routinely use
kitchen paper-towel (the highly absorbent double-thickness type) to
line the bottom of the cage to facilitate cleaning operations since frass
and stick-insect eggs can simply be removed with the towel. Inserted
into the paper-towel were several eggs of which there were two
different types. The most numerous (62 eggs counted) were oval flat-
shaped brown eggs of about 3.6mm (length) x 1.7mm (largest width)
X 0.2mm (thickness). The second type was smaller, best described as
a cigar-shaped egg (19 eggs counted) of 2.8mm (length) x 0.9mm
(largest diameter). These two egg types are illustrated in Plate 95J,
Fig. 4. An examination of the egg-laying patterns revealed two types
of egg-laying behaviour, and, together with the shape and size of the
eggs, may provide a clue to the possible species which were involved
given that the inhabitants that cohabited with the stick-insects over
time were L. punctatissima, the "albino" L. punctatissma, M.
thalassnium and R. nitidula. The oval flat-shaped eggs were inserted
laterally into the paper-towel with the flat side horizontal . They were
distributed in a circle which corresponded to the peripheral point of
contact of the bottom qf the water-filled jar (containing the
foodplant) with the paper-towel. The eggs appeared to have been
laid preferentially in this location since no eggs were found outside
this circular area. In contrast, most of the cigar-shaped eggs were laid
away from this circular area and were inserted at random
orientations into the paper-towel.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
99
The eggs were not given an artificial diapause during winter 1993/94
though the room temperatures where they were stored did fall to
10 °C during mid-winter. The eggs did not hatch in spring 1994.
However, a "late diapause" was given in May 1994 by placing the
eggs in a refrigerator at 5°C for one month, though no hatching was
subsequently observed for the rest of 1994. Squashing one of the
cigar-shaped eggs between thumbnail and forefinger revealed a
yellow/orange internal fluid suggesting that failure of this egg type to
hatch was not due to desiccation under indoor incubation
conditions. The eggs will be kept until the end of 1995 to see
whether any hatching occurs, following a second diapause at 5°C
during winter 1994/95.
Other details
The rolled oats given as a food-source was of the type commonly known
as the brand name of "Quaker Oats". It was used in its dry uncooked
form. The photographs were taken under natural daylight conditions
(without flash) with a hand-held Nikon EM camera fitted with a 35-70mm
zoom lens set at 70mm (f3.3; 1/60 to 1/125 s) at the minimum focussing
distance (22cm approx.). A standard 100 ASA film was used.
Request to readers
I am particularly interested to hear from any readers who may have
identified other Tettigoniidae or Gryllidae in south-western France (please
indicate approximate location of find). I would welcome any comments
concerning the "albino" L. punctatissima, unusual food sources and egg-
laying behaviour, or indeed any other matters concerning this article.
REFERENCES
Anon (1994). Protection de I'environment. Arret du 22 juillet 1993 relatif a la liste des
insectes proteges en region Ile-de-France completant la liste nationale. Insectes, 92: 9-10.
Bellmann, H. (1985) A field guide to grasshoppers and crickets of Britain and Northern
Europe. Collins, London 1988, 213pp.
Chinery, M. (1993). Insectes de France et d'Europe Occidentale (translated from the Collins
Guide to Insects of Britain and Western Europe). Les Editions Arthaud, Paris, 1993.
320pp.
Chopard, L. (1951. Faune de France, Volume 56 - Orthopteroides. Paul Chevalier, Paris
(VF). 359pp.
Fry, R. (1991). Habitat conservation for insects - a neglected green issue. Eds. R. Fry and D.
Lonsdale. AES publication vol. 21, page 238. The Amateur Entomologists' Society,
London, 1991, 262pp.
100
JUNE 1995
MEADOWS, MOUNTAINS AND BUTTERFLIES:
AUSTRIAN TYROL, AUGUST 1993
by Ted Benton
13 Priori; Street. Colchester. Essex COl 2PY.
On 5th August 1993, I set off with my wife and two sons for our much-
anticipated holiday in the Austrian Tyrol. Our destination was the village
of Westendorf (Plate 95K, Fig. 5), a few kilometres to the west of the busy
resort of Kirchberg. We had chosen Westendorf as a convenient location
for a gentle walking holiday, and not for any entomological attractions it
might have. Nevertheless I had managed to secrete a small selection of
field guides and my camera into our luggage, "just in case". In fact,
having already visited some of the well-known Alpine "hotspots" for
butterflies, 1 was hoping this area would yield some comparable delights.
In fact, recurring heavy rain and generally cool and overcast weather
precluded much in the way of entomological activity over the first few
days of the holiday. However, we did manage a few local walks, and I
was able to do a little "botanising", and "prospecting" for likely-looking
habitats. Westendorf is situated in the valley of the Brixentaler river, and
is connected by a network of pleasant footpaths and cycle tracks to the
nearby settlements of Brixen (about 3km) and Lirchberg (about 8km) to
the east along the valley. About 6km to the west lies Hopfgarten, along
the same valley. Around and between these settlements are fine, flower-
rich sub-alpine meadows. To the north the ground rises to a series of
minor peaks, the highest of which is the Hohe Salve, accessible by ski-lift
from Hopfgarten. The valley levels are at altitudes of 750 to 800 metres,
whilst the Hohe Salve rises to a little over 1,800 metres. To the south of
the valley lie some more impressive mountains, the most accessible of
which is the Brechorn, at 2,032 metres. This is a fairly easy walk from the
top of the Alpenrose gondola lift out of Westendorf.
Fortunately the weather did eventually clear up and we were treated to
a prolonged spell of fine, warm weather. My first surprise, on searching
the local meadows in perfect weather conditions, was how few butterflies
were on the wing - such a contrast with my earlier experiences in the
Alps. True, it was relatively late in the season, and the altitudes relatively
low, so that many of the early summer species could well have finished
their flight periods. Set against this as an explanation was the fact that
even those common species that were present were in very small
numbers. Over the course of our two weeks, repeated searches of these
lower meadows, and the patchwork of light conifer woodland and
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
101
meadows along the nearby Windau valley (up to Rettenbach, at 800
metres), gradually yielded sightings of only nineteen species:
Lijcaeides idas (Plate 95K, Fig. 6)
Of these species only M. jurtina could be said to be common, though,
C. hxjale was widespread in the meadows, and breeding A. leuana and A.
paphia were found at these lower altitudes, but generally confined to
woodland clearings and edges, where they were both found nectaring on
the abundant blossoms of the Umbellifer, Angelica s^luesths, along with
the familiar longhorn beetle, S. maculata, numerous Eristalis hoverflies
and solitary bees. For me, perhaps the most significant find was a strong
colony of L. idas along the edge of a culvert bordering hay meadows at
Westendorf. Some of these were in fine condition, and they were flying
together with (much smaller numbers of) P. icarus.
Some of the meadows were pink with bistort flowers, whilst others had
the more typical mix of common meadow plants - several species of
plantains, hawkbits, knapweeds, thistles, clovers, cranebills, campions and
vetches. Among the most striking plants here were the tall yellow cabbage
thistles (Cirsium oleracium). Given this floristic richness, the paucity of the
butterfly fauna was really puzzling. I was reminded of my searches for
dragonflies in the arable deserts of north-west Essex during the 1980s. My
friends and I had maintained miorale through days of fruitless searching
by telling ourselves that recording the absence of species was just as
scientifically important as recording their presence! In this case, however,
there was no obvious explanation. Moreover, other insect orders, so far
as I was competent to tell, seemed to be doing well. Most noticeably, the
meadows teemed with Orthoptera. There were several species of
grasshoppers, including Gomphocems rufus, the rufous grasshopper, with
their long, clubbed antennae. But, most inescapably, the large, loud bush
cricket, Tettigonia cantans (Plate 95K, Fig. 2). This species is very similar
to our own T. uiridissima but it has shorter wings.
Papilio mnachaon
Pieris brassicae
Pieris napi
Pieris rapae
Leptidea sinapis
Gonepteryx rhamni
Colias croceus
Colias hyale
Lycaena phlaeas
Polyommatus icarus
Aglais urticae
Aroschnia levana
Argynnis paphia
Maniola jurtina
Coenanympha pamphilus
Lasiommata maera
Ochlodes uenata
Hesperia comma
102
JUNE 1995
So. the puzzle deepened. I set about getting information about the
local agricultural methods. Cattle were grazed on the higher meadows
during the summer months, while hay was grown and cut for winter feed
on the lower meadows in the Brixentaler valley. Many of the meadows
were cut when we amved in the area and cutting continued throughout
our stay. I presume two or more crops are taken from each meadow in a
season, and apparently no artificial fertilisers are used. The level
meadows were invariably cut mechanically, using a tractor with trailer.
After a day or so of dry weather, the cut hay was turned over by means of
a trailer with downward-pointing prongs on a rotating horizontal arm.
Subsequentiy the cuttings were aligned into discrete strips along the field,
using the same machine, presumably in a different setting. Finally, a
ti'actor with a rear container and a vacuum device sucked up the cuttings,
and they were ti-ansfeiTed to field barns for storage.
My speculation was that this highly mechanised method of harvesting
might explain the poverty of the butterfly fauna in the meadows.
Intuitively it seems likely that the much less mobile early stages of the
butterflies would suffer high mortality rates compared with the
Orthoptera. which generally lay their eggs below the ground surface, and
have much more active nymphs. It would be interesting to know if there is
"hard"" evidence on this or whether other AES members have relevant
experiences.
Since my main interest was in the Erehia genus of "ringlet" bunerflies. I
spent the majority of the time available for fieldwork at the higher
altitudes, up 2.000 metres or so. Even here, however, the area was
somewhat disappointing. To the north of the valley, we explored the
areas between the top of the ski-lift above Brixen (1.240m) and
Holzalmjoch (1.680m). and on the slopes of the Hohe Salve. In the
former area we found a few rather worn specimens of £. liqea nectaring
at scabious along the track through conifer woodland. On more open
grassy slopes were many E, euryale. feeding on marsh thistles and
scabious. Though they can be easily confused with each other (especially
the females) these two Ereb'ia species are distinctive in having chequered
outer margins to the wings. Also in these grassy areas were several
Mesoacidalia aglaja (Plate 95K. Fig. 8) in fine condition. H. comma. A.
unicoe. and C. croceus (including one female helice). Among the more
interesting plants were globeflower [Trollius europoeus) . dark red
helleborine [Epipactis atrorubens) . and sticky sage [Salvia glutinosa). The
fine flowei-y meadows on the slopes of the Hohe Salve yielded the same
butterfly species as the lower meadows, with the addition of Th\;melicus
s\;luestris. The sti'iking bush cricket. Decticus uerruciuorus. the "wart-biter"'
was also present.
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
103
The higher pastures to the south of Westendorf yielded more species.
Several routes between the top station of the Alpenrose gondola lift at
1,766 metres and the Brechorn, at 2,032 metres were explored between
the 10th and the 15th August. Two colonies of Erebia manto (Plate 95L,
Fig. 9) were located at altitudes between 1,600 and 1,700 metres. They
were quite worn, and as is usual for this species, were flying close to
boggy ground on the mountain slopes. E. euryale (Plate 95L, Fig. 10)
was common here, as it had been at similar altitudes to the north of
Westendorf. Other species noted on these sorties were M. aglaja, A.
urticae, Mellicta athalia, and Pyrgus (alueus?). The presence of
Sphagnum moss in the wet areas, and Ericacious shrubs suggested
predominantly acidic conditions, but a route which took us down the
mountain to Brixen, a few kilometres to the east, cut through limestone
outcrops, and the pastures here were noticeably richer in flowers and
insects. Lysandra coridon was added to a meagre total of "blue" species
here. A length of track below the Wiege Gasthof (between 1,350 and
1,500 metres) harboured another two Erebia species - pronoe (Plate
95L, Fig. 11) and meolans. The former species, many examples of which
appeared to be freshly emerged, was abundant, the males imbibing salts
and moisture from damp spots on the track. As we sat among them, they
transferred their attention to the sweat on our skin and clothes. As we
descended towards the Brixenbachalm Gasthof (at just over 1,000
metres) we encountered many of the species of the lower meadows,
including M. jurtina and L. idas. On one occasion a fine male Apatura iris
was observed imbiding spilt beer on one of the Gasthof tables! Also in this
area we noticed the bright red "flashes" of the red-winged grasshopper
(Oedipoda germanica).
A little further to the east, above Kirchberg, we were able to search
another area of calcareous grassland, with rocky outcrops. This was much
the most entomologically interesting site of the holiday, but, unfortunately
I was only able to spend a couple of hours there. In open patches in light
woodland were numerous specimens of yet another Erebia - aethiops.
The skippers Pyrgus alueus and P. carlinae (the only sighting of this
species on the trip), also L. sinapis, L. coridon and Cupido minimus were
also seen. The altitude was a little below 1,500 metres.
An interesting comparison with the area around Westendorf was
provided by an organised coach excursion to the Grossglockner.
Predictably enough this was quite a frustrating experience: about 20
minutes out of the coach on the long haul up the high alpine road, and
then a lunch stop at the dramatic view-point above the glacier. The coffee
104
JUNE 1995
stop at about 1900 metres yielded H. comma. Pi^rgus (alueus?). C.
minimus. E. manto. and the splendid "copper" Heodes uirgaureae. on
the roadside verge. Much higher up. near the car park and the foot of the
glacier, were many more characteristic alpine species. In the very brief
time available I noted the Shepherd's fritillary. Boloria pales (Plate 95L.
Fig. 12). and the "Alpine argus"" Albulina orbitulus. Interestingly, the
specimens of £. manto which were abundant here were quite different in
appearance from those seen lower down on the same mountain and back
at Westendorf. The latter were referable to the nominate "manto" sub-
species, with red post-discal bands on the uppersides and yellow spots on
the undersides. The form flying at high altitude on the Grossglockner had
much-reduced markings, and a vei-y dark appearance, especially in the
males (E. manto p^rrhula) .
Thus ended a very enjoyable, if somewhat frustrating, alpine holiday.
For me. it was a reminder that, despite appearances, changing farming
methods and other threats to wildlife habitat persist even in the seemingly
inexhaustible Alps. Perhaps if we confined ourselves to the noted butterfly
localities we might be less aware of how special they are. and so take for
granted the continued existence of the very localised rarities. Still, there
was plenty to keep me occupied for much longer than the two weeks
allowed by our package holiday!
RARE SYRPHID FOUND IN GWYNEDD, WALES
bv M.O. Hughes (3612)
I have been recently sorting out some of the more "difficuk" species of
Diptera and after checking and double checking Coe and Stubbs & Falk
have come to the following conclusion:
Female Paras\^Tphus malinellus taken on 16th May 1992 in Bodysgallen
Woods. Deganwy. Llandudno. Gwynedd. Wales. The area is mixed
coniferous and deciduous woodland. This is the fist time in over thirty
years of collecting that I have encountered this species and it may well
prove to be a new record for the area if not for the whole of North Wales.
REFERENCES
Coe. R.L. (1953). Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects Vol. X. Part 1.
Stubbs. A.E. & Falk. S.J. (1983). British Hoverflies.
JUNE 1995
COLOUR SECTION
Fig. 1. An unidentified bug covered in particulate debris.
Villagrains (Gironde, France).
Fig. 2. Leptoph\;es punctatissima eating the reproductive parts of an ornamental plant of the
Compositae family. Villagrains (Gironde, France).
PLATE 951
COLOUR SECTION
JUNE 1995
Fig. 4. Eggs (oval flat-shaped and cigar-shaped) laid in kitchen paper lowel by two cinerer.:
cricket species (Tettigoniidae). The cigar-shaped eggs are indicated by arrows.
Villagi-ains (Gironde, France).
PUKTE 95J
JUNE 1995
COLOUR SECTION
COLOUR SECTION
JUNE 1995
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
105
BRITISH DRAGONFLY SOCIETY NATIONAL SURVEY
by Stuart Irons (10299)
69 GHnton Road, Helpston, Peterborough PE6 7DG.
The British Dragonfly Society is currently collating as much information
as possible about British dragonflies and damselflies, with an aim to
understanding more about the ecology and behaviour of these insects. I
have volunteered to collate information on Aeshna grandis (Brown
hawker) and have outlined a number of ideas which may be worth
pursuing.
Distribution - A. grandis is widespread and common in central and
southern England, but it would be interesting to know whether this range
is expanding or contracting. Any records from south-west England,
Wales, north England and Scofland would be valuable, especially proven
breeding sites, also any sites where breeding has not been observed
previously, or indeed absence from former breeding sites.
Larvae - I would be interested to know of any larvae discovered when
pond-dipping, along with as much information as possible concerning the
site (e.g. still or flowing water, any aquatic or emergent plants or
waterside trees; the substrate, gravel, mud, dead leaves etc; water
chemistry, pH, hardness, turbidity, oxygen content, etc; density of larvae,
i.e. the number found per square metre).
Egg-laying - The females are known to oviposit alone, often into dead
wood in the water. Details of these egg-laying sites would be very useful
(e.g. height above or below the water line; approximate size of wood,
conditions of wood etc). Using this information ovipositing habitat may
be constructed to try to attract A. grandis to new breeding sites. Occasions
where wood is not used as an egg-laying site would be equally interesting.
Flight times - Dates of early- and late-flying adults are always worth
noting. A. grandis has also been recorded as frequently flying after sunset,
so times (in relation to sunset if possible) and dates when observed on the
wing and activity (feeding, holding territory, mating, etc.). This
information will help to build up a picture of the habits of the adult
dragonfly.
These are just a few ideas of interesting lines of enquiry for A. grandis but
I would love to hear of any other observations, theories or discoveries
concerning this insect. Any information relating to other species of
Odonata may also be sent to me and 1 will pass them on to the relevant
collator.
106
JUNE 1995
Book Review
The Butterflies and Moths of Berkshire by B.R. Baker, xxxi + 368pp.
Hedera Press, Uffington, Oxfordshire, 1994. Price £25.00.
In his introduction Brian Baker pays tribute to William Holland and his
collaborator Albert Hamm for their listing, in 1906, of 1260 species of
Lepidoptera in the Victoria County History of Berkshire, until now the
only list of the county's butterflies and moths.
The chapter on early collectors shows vividly how those early workers
were prepared to walk 12 miles to favourite grounds, eat their sandwiches
whilst examining tree trunks, and take the long slog home.
Because of his activities Holland had the distinction of having a notice
erected by an irate landowner stating that anyone found disfiguring trees
(sugaring) for the purpose of taking moths would be prosecuted. (Runge,
1944, J. Amat. Ent. Soc. 8: 21.)
There follows a chapter on the surface geology, vegetation and habits
before the main part of the book, a list of both the Micro- and Macro-
Lepidoptera.
Each species has a list of recorded localities arranged chronologically,
larvae foodplants in some cases, and relative frequency on a scale from
very scarce to dominant. There is also an index to place names, with
four-figure grid references, that are mentioned in the text.
The author is to be congratulated on producing a very comprehensive
survey of Berkshire Lepidoptera which I am sure will encourage us all to
add new records in the future. Rob Dyke
HELP WANTED CURING A PROBLEM WITH A CABINET
bij Dave Norris (9175)
91 Shanakill, Tralee, Counti; Kerr[j, Eire.
I have noticed a small problem in one of the drawers in my cabinet. One
of my specimens has a growth of fungus or a similar looking furry
substance growing on its antenna. This alarms me as I do not know what
has caused it or how to cure it. The cabinet is sealed tightly and the
specimens have been in it for about three years. My fear is that the furry
growth will spread to other more uncommon specimens.
If there is anyone out there who has had a similar problem in the past
or suspects they know what the problem might be, I would be grateful for
some advice.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
107
60 YEARS OF THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS SOCIETY
Part III. 1955-64
by Wayne Jarvis (9899)
Membership at the beginning of 1955 was 929, where it seemed to have
stabilised. B.R. Stallwood was editor of the Bulletin which was now in its
14th volume. The Bulletin began to take on a slightly different look with
longer articles, which would previously have appeared in the Society's
Journal, beginning to be included much more. One such article, by K.C.
Side (2140), A study of insects living on the Wayfaring tree (Viburnum
lantana) appeared in numbers 169-174 (Volume 14 January to June).
Many other articles appeared in subsequent issues, some of which were
made into leaflets and sold by the Society.
The Silkmoth Rearer's Handbook was published in 1956 and sold very
well. The Bulletin however, began to find itself with a lack of copy, and as
a result the October issue was reduced in size. The problem was
encountered again in 1957 when the September issue suffered similarly.
It was therefore decided that from Volume 17 (1958) there would be only
eleven issues of the Bulletin per year, the August and September issues
being combined. The exhibition of 1957 was, as had come to be
expected, a success. There was a great interest at this time in Silkmoths
and this was reflected in the exhibits. In 1958 membership fell alarmingly
to 737, causing the society some concern.
The editorial of the January 1959 Bulletin (Volume 18 Number 217)
gave an indication that the publication was to change. The General
Secretary, D. Ollevant, took on the Assistant Bulletin editor role as well,
and B.F. Skinner was appointed as an Assistant General Secretary to help
with clerical matters. The Junior newsletter which had been published for
the previous eleven years ceased but was replaced with Junior sections in
the Bulletin. A printing dispute caused the amalgamation of the
August/September and October Bulletins (Volume 18 Numbers 224-
226). Despite a necessary increase in the Society's subscriptions in 1959,
membership levels rose slightly, to 786.
108
JUNE 1995
W.N. Lawfield took over as Bulletin editor in 1960 (Volume 19) which
was the Silver Jubilee of the Society. A special issue of the Bulletin in
August (Number 236) celebrated by publishing six aracles: On the First
25 years of the Societ\; by the Society's founder L.R. Tesch. Studying the
commoner insects by C.B. Williams. Butterfly botany by H.K. Airy Shaw.
Communicating amongst social insects by A.N. Brangham.. Some
observations on taxonomy by W.H.T. Tarns and Distribution, range and
the British fauna by R.W.J. Uffen. The exhibition held at Buckingham
Gate Schools was a success, but n'aders were now beginning to dominate
the event, and as a result Council decided that some changes were
needed. Membership continued to recover slowly, with 815 paid-up
members by the end of the year. From September 1960. the Bulletin
consisted of twelve pages rather than eight as had been the case for many
years.
The 1961 exhibition venue v.-as changed to the Hugh Myddleton
School where more space was available. The e\'ent was a much greater
success as a result. The Bulletin also changed in 1962. under the new
editor. P.G. Taylor. W.N. Lawfield resigned due to ill health and
subsequently died in June. Mr Taylor gave the publication a new
structure and new typeface. The new-look Bulletin, however, faced
numerous problems in its production. Royal van Gorcum^ in Assen.
Holland took over from T. Buncle and Co. Ltd. as the Bulletin printers,
but survived for only the January issue before their services were
dispensed with. They were replaced by a Croydon firm. Roffey and Clark
Ltd. The Januaiy. Febmaiy and March issues were all very late in arriving
on members' door mats due to bad weather and as a result the April and
May issues were combined as a 16 page rather than 12 page issue, and
the June to October issues were similarly combined to give a 28 page
Bulletin. The December issue was the production of the third printing
company of the year. Ellis and Phillips Ltd from Bishop s Stortford. who
continued to publish the Bulletin for several years.
After so many troubles, the Bulletin went to a quarterly format for
1963. consisting of 32 pages per issue. May 1963 saw Peter Taylor edit
his last issue and he handed over to H.V. Danks. Peter Cribb became
President of the Society. Membership was. however, still lower than it had
been previously, with only 790 members enrolled at the end of 1964.
A few articles follow fi'om the decade and in particular an item from
the 1960 Silver Jubilee Bulletin.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
109
From Volume 15, Number 191, November 1956, Page 107.
OVIPOSITION AFTER DEATH
by W.J. Tilsbury (2717)
With reference to the letter by R.H. Benson (antea p. 100) concerning
oviposition after death of the White ermine moth {Spihsoma lubricipeda
Linn.), on 25th July I found two imagines of S. lubricipeda "in cop.", the
female being a fresh specimen, the male a very worn one. The female
was stunned in the killing bottle with ethyl acetate and then killed with
oxalic acid. (This, incidentally, is my usual method of killing when
circumstances allow, as it dispenses with the relaxing box.)
The moth was then laid on its back in a small tin box to await setting.
Five hours later I opened the box to pin the specimen, and found it had
laid fifteen eggs. I immediately checked up, but found the moth was quite
dead, and so set it. The ova were left in the tin and hatched ten days
later. The ethyl acetate certainly had no effect on the ova, and the oxalic
acid may not have reached the abdomen as it was injected into the
thorax.
I frequently stuff the abdomens of large moths, and prefer to slit the
underside of the abdomen in order to remove contents. This gives a good
opportunity of studying the internal organs. On opening the abdomen of
the fem.ale moth the ova will be found to occupy the majority of the
space. Each egg is connected to its fellow by a thin transparent thread
which, I presume, is the means of distributing the male sperm necessary
to fertilise each egg. The ova are hard and semi-transparent and with the
exception of a few small ones near the thorax wall, are full size. In
addition, there is a dark reddish bladder-like organ in the centre of the
mass of ova, and near the thorax wall a transparent bladder of
membrane. I cannot explain the function of these two organs as I have no
idea of their use or purpose, but doubtless a more experienced
lepidopterist will be able to help. Also it may be as well to add that the
above observations refer to Actias selene Huebn. (Indian moon moth),
this being a large species and comparatively easy to dissect. Ova have
been present, however, in every female moth I have opened, and, apart
from colour, fully formed.
Finally, the question as to why a moth can oviposit after death. My
theory is that the purpose of life of the imago is to ensure a further
generation and the female sexual organs appear to be capable of
involuntary action even after death. An injection of oxalic acid in the
thorax kills instantly and even the sensitive antennae will be incapable of
110
JUNE 1995
movement. The rear of the abdomen will, however, continue to move for
some time afterwards, and in the case of a fertile female oviposition can
take place.
From Volume 1 7, Number 214, October 1958, Page 59.
CYANIRIS SEMIARGUS ROTT. IN SUSSEX
by A.D. Barker (2379J) and G.MA. Barker (2380J)
It may be of interest to members to know that a male Mazarine blue
(Ci;aniris semiargus) was caught in our orchard (near Rogate, Sussex) by
A.D. Barker (2379J) on 30th July. This specimen presumably was a
migrant, probably an unwilling one, carried over by the recent winds.
When it was captured we thought immediately that it was a Mazarine
blue but almost in the same instant dismissed it as a variation of a Holly
blue. However, examination left no room for doubt as to its real identity,
as it conformed in every way with the descriptions of Kirby, South and E.
Newman.
From Volume 18, Numbers 224-226, August/ October 1959, Page 71.
PAIRING BRIMSTONES
by John H. Drake (2967)
Although this event occurred quite a few years ago, the nature of it
seemed to me so unusual that I decided an account of the incident might
be of interest to other members.
One day in the middle of May I was wandering through a small wood
near my home when I saw what I thought was a Brimstone (Gonepteryx
rhamni Linn.) butterfly settled on the ground. I crept closer to investigate
and discovered to my surprise a pair of Brimstones sitting there in cop.
They were not at all disturbed by my presence, the sky being overcast at
the time. I took out a small box and closed it around the two insects and
they walked in without fuss to be transported safely home. The weather
continued to be dreary for several days: cold, rainy, and without sun.
I always thought that the pairing time for most species of butterfly was
quite short compared with that of moths, say several hours at the most,
yet although you may not believe this, it is the absolute truth: those two
butterflies paired continuously and immobile not for one day, not for two
days, but for five da\;s\ On the sixth day of observation the weather
brightened considerably and then only did the couple part. Have any
other members records such as this?
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
111
From Volume 19, Number 229, January) 1960, Page 3.
CRICKETS AT LARGE
bxj R.W.J. Uffen (1660)
The house cricket, Gri^Uus domesticus (Linn.), is a domesticated alien
from a warmer climate than our own, and as such lives out of doors only
in areas such as rubbish dumps which have other sources of heat than the
sun. Burr (British Grasshoppers and their Allies, London, 1936) remarked
that crickets do however venture out of doors in particularly warm
seasons. In the second week of September 1959 I found three such
specimens. The first spent the whole of one night sitting on the top of a
lamp standard outside my home in London stridulating. It sounded as
though the lamp had reverted to being an old gas lantern swinging and
creaking in a non-existent wind. Two nights later the insect reappeared
on a fence across the road,whence it was plainly audible inside my home
with the windows shut. After chasing it around the gate-post several times
I succeeded in trapping it. The other two examples were heard in St.
Helens, Lancashire. One was stridulating after dusk in a public garden,
the other doing likewise in a deep crack between the pavement and
garden wall of a house.
From the Silver Jubilee issue, Volume 19, Number 236,
August 1960, Page 66.
COMMUNICATION AMONG SOCIAL INSECTS
by A.N. Brangham
Fully social insects are confined to bees, wasps and ants among the
Hymenoptera and termites (Isoptera). According to O.W. Richards, "a
truly social insect may be defined as one in which the female tends or
helps to construct a brood-chamber for an egg (or larva) laid by another
female".
Hymenopterous social insects may have emerged from solitary Scoliid
wasps which burrowed or built cells and supplied their eggs with food to
last through the growing stages. At some phase in evolutionary time it
must have happened that females of these solitary species came into
collective association. The transition from solitariness to complete social
integration is illustrated by the primitive social European wasps of the
genus Polistes.
In southern Europe a number of fertile females may come together
(whereas in the north this is not the case) to found a nest. By virtue of
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JUNE 1995
those slight differences in genetic inheritance common to all living
organisms, one female emerges from among her peers as a more robust,
more aggi'essively constituted dominant. This superiority is shown in her
pre-eminence as the egg-layer, spending most of her time on the carton
nest: her ovaries remain active and well developed. Those of the others
degenerate, and they become auxiliaries, using up energy in flying off for
food, building, feeding the dominant queen and the brood. Yet at the
outset they had all shared the tasks of laying, building and feeding. The
superior aggression of one emerges gradually: she sustains her authority
as queen by butting and buzzing at the others from time to time. She
intimidates them to the extent of inhibiting them from laying eggs, and
reduces them to the status of workers.
Between themselves the auxiliaries develop a "pecking order" in which
a senior accepts food from a subordinate. After the true workers have
hatched, the auxiliaries leave the nest to lead a solitary existence for the
rest of the summer. Workers are also inhibited from egg-laying by the
presence of the queen until she leaves the nest, when the w'orkers lay
eggs which become males.
Here is a rudimentary type of communication, all the more so since it
seems to be largely a psychological influence, that is. the pattern appears
to be a function of behaviour and neither of selective feeding nor of
glandular excretion as in higher social organisations among insects. This
behaviour not only controls that of the other wasps, it governs the
reproductive rate and sex-determination of offspring.
This kind of communication is made possible by the relatively simple
social structure and small size of a Polistes colony.
Social complexity' increases in proportion to the numerical size of the
community, and there arises a need to evolve a more efficient means of
communication. This is particularly the case in insects able, through flight
mobility, to travel considerable distances from the nest. A distinctive nest-
aroma binds a colony together in mutual recognition, and distinguishes it
from others of the same and other species, a primary mode of
communication through a physiological agency.
Ants possess the most flexible social organisms when compared with
bees or wasps, but their methods of communication are probably less
refined than those of the hive-bees. The ants are eanh-bound. covering
comparatively short distances from their nest in search of food or slaves,
or else they are entirely nomadic. They are thus able to rely on the
methods ants use to find their way about - through laying scent ti-ails. by
sun-compass reaction, by memory and sight, or orientation by polarised
light.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
113
How these forms of orientation dovetail into the ants' ability to
communicate information about supplies of food to their fellows is not
really known. That they do so is obvious, and it seems likely that the
tapping of antennae holds the key to the sign language employed. The
speed with which a raid is organised by workers of the slave-making ant,
Formica sanguinea Latreille, on colonies of F. fusca Linnaeus,
demonstrates the efficiency of their co-ordination.
The special sense in which the term communication has been used in
connection with the special organisation of Polistes may be used to
understand some of the complexities of termite communities. Termites
have the most involved caste system of all social insects, in spite of their
lowly place in the evolutionary scale. As there is no helpless grub stage all
individuals in the colony are almost immediately available for duties.
Unlike other social insects, males are always present in the colony and
play a fuller part in its life.
Changes from one caste to another occur. Whether these are brought
about by special feeding, by ecto- or social-hormones, or by what P. -P.
Grasse calls "group effect", is still in debate.
The group effect hypothesis is full of interesting possibilities to account
for the multiplicity of phenomena manifested by termites. Its application
need not be confined to them, nor merely to the social insects. It is a
theory which may be valid for explaining behaviour in other gregarious
but non-social (in the sense that Richards has defined the word) insects
such as grasshoppers and cicadas, and to all other animals showing some
degree of sustained communal cohesion. The group effect, in all
probability, operates to its greatest intensity among locusts in their mass
migratory phase.
The idea of the group effect is based on the belief that the sensory
system of an individual is stimulated through the proximity of others of its
kind, and plays some part in determining behaviour and physical
development in all insects living, at some stage of their existence, in
crowds. Precisely what visual, tactile, or olfactory principles are involved
is not known, nor is it always easy to distinguish between physiological
effects of proximity, but experiments by Grasse and others supply
evidence in support of the hypothesis. Removal of a given number of
sexual castes in termites brings about the production of the same number
of substitutes, unless the egg-laying capacity of these substitutes is lower
than that of the original sexual forms. In such an event, enough
substitutes are permitted to maintain the optimal supply of eggs. Removal
of a single soldier gives rise to one other soldier to replace it.
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JUNE 1995
In a now celebrated experiment, Grasse and Noirot found that if two
fourth-stage nymphs of the same sex of Calotermes were isolated, only
one became sexually mature after the next moult. If both were of different
sexes, both matured after the following moult.
Of the way in which termites pass messages little is known, although
the antennal play and "nuptial promenade", in which the female searches
for a suitable nesting site after swarming, closely followed by the male she
has accepted, has been observed in many species. This, too, is a special
aspect of communication. But the kind of communication demanded
among hunting and foraging social insects is needed to a far smaller
degree by termites. There is little individual initiative; most termites subsist
on ample food supplies not eaten by other creatures, notably wood, for
the digestion of which parasitic protozoa in the intestines are essential.
The discoveries of K. von Frisch have revealed methods of
communication among hive-bees that represent the most intricate way of
passing complicated information among any of the social insects. The
language of the "dancing bees" has been largely written about, and the
basic findings of von Frisch are confirmed by others, so that only the
briefest resume is necessary here.
When a foraging bee discovers a source of food, she emits a scent from
abdominal glands, on or around it. On returning to the hive, the bee
performs ritual motions which have been described as a dance, either at
the entrance to the hive or within it. Food found at a short distance from
the hive is indicated by the round dance, while that found at distances
greater than about 100 yards radius is communicated by a tail-wagging
dance in the rough form of two joined loops. Distance is indicated by the
speed with which the movement is executed, together with the number of
times the abdomen is waggled along the straight line before she performs
the looping movements.
When this dance is performed outside the hive in full daylight, the bee's
straight course points to the source of the food. But when the dance is
carried out on a vertical comb within the darkness of the hive - as is most
commonly the case - the straight run is executed at an angle to the sun,
this angle corresponding to the angle at which the food lies from the sun.
An upward run along the straight indicates that the food is to be found in
the direction of the sun's position, and a downward run indicates the
reverse. If the sky is totally obscured, bees do not dance. As long as there
is some blue patch of sky, the bee's response to polarised light allows the
direction to be indicated in relation to the actual position of the invisible
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
115
sun. Thus, both distance and direction are indicated to the bees in the
performer's proximity.
The efficiency of their language is not absolute. Bees which have
received the communication from the forager fly off in the general
direction of the food, and only a minority of them fly unerringly to it. The
rest will have deviated in their angle of flight, and proceed to fly in
increasing circular sweeps, making use of their sense of smell, vision, and
topographical memory to find the correct place.
Slight variations in the dance pattern - dialects, as it were - have been
detected in Asian races closely allied to the European honey-bee.
Maternal care plays no part in the lives of grasshoppers (Acrididae), yet
these members of the Orthoptera deserve consideration in a special
category of social insects. The same may be said of crickets (Gryllidae)
and bush-crickets (Tettigoniidae). Their aggregation in smaller or larger
communities reflects more than a haphazard coming together of a
number of insects in a favourable ecological locality, and more than a
mere assem.blage of males and females for mating. This applies also to
the cicadas (Cicadidae).
The complicated song patterns of the grasshoppers are a form of
expression and a means of communication sustained throughout adult
life. Females have some powers of stridulation, but these are insignificant
compared with those of their males. In the past, this fact has been
interrupted as having purely sexual significance, but this does not account
adequately for the whole behaviour of those Orthoptera leading some
kind of communal existence.
Male acridians stridulate as soon as the last moult has been completed,
but larvae occasionally execute soundless stridulatory movements in
response to the adults surrounding them, such is the deeply ingrained
phylogenetic urge to stridulate.
Stridulation is simultaneously an expression of sexual maturity, of
social cohesion within an appropriate biotope, and of individual well-
being. The evidence to support these contentions may be briefly
presented.
Provided general environmental conditions of warmth, moisture, and
suitable herbage are available, male grasshoppers stridulate for most of
the day-light hours (many bush-crickets and crickets perform at night),
vigorously when these conditions are optimal, feebly when less so. The
basic song pattern of the male is the ordinary song, a kind of generalised
range-finder, a way of informing the world at large of his presence. This
song is modified through a rich variety of phrasing and intensity,
116
JUNE 1995
modulated through transitions to the rivalry song when males meet, or to
the courtship song when females approach within range of sight and
hearing. Males stridulate in varying degrees of harmony while moving
backwards and forwards in endless ritual. A little evidence has been
produced to suggest that young adults need to learn the specific song. If
this can be further substantiated the importance of social solidarity is
emphasised still more.
Sexual selectivity is involved in stridulation, but the fact that copulation
results less frequently than might be expected suggests strongly that
aggression, usually associated with sexual rivalry, is displaced, or toned
down to an amicable contest. Rudiments of sociability are implied in such
behaviour, in which crude impulses have been deflected into
compromise.
Social cohesion is made necessary by virtue of the grasshopper's
leaping or flying potential, which exceeds the range of sight and hearing.
Without restraint, the colony is threatened with disintegration through
scattering. The song helps to inhibit dispersal of individuals at various
stages of development, and allows favourable biotopes to be exploited as
feeding grounds and places for cryptic protection against predators.
An analogy between grasshoppers and bees can be drawn. Bees
possess the means for dispersal to great distances from the hive. They
have evolved complex methods of communicating to the nest what has
been found outside it. Grasshoppers, too, are able to wander from the
centre of their mobile community, which has no constructed fixed point.
They also require a method of communication to preserve it, though what
has to be imparted is essentially of a defensive or conserving nature.
It is significant that grasshoppers are unwilling to leap or fly unless
disturbed; they try to make their way back when this happens, aided by a
recognition of the species song, and guided by sight to a lesser extent. A
biological balance between immobility and diffusion is maintained partly
by the general behavioural characteristics of the species, partly by fecund
females who show a tendency to wander in search of egg-laying sites, and
partly by the imm.ature forms, which are much more addicted to
spontaneous leaping than are the adults.
REFERENCES
von Frisch, K. (1954). The Dancing Bees. Methuen & Co.. London.
Grasse, P.-P. (1949). Traite de Zoohgie. 9. Masson & Cie.. Paris.
Richards, O.W. (1953). The Social Insects. Macdonald, London.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
117
Diary Dates
Abbreviations
BBONT Berks, Bucks and Oxon Naturalists' Society.
BC Butterfly Conservation.
BEHNS British Entomological and Natural History Society.
"I: Information from:
LCES Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
LNU Lincolnshire Naturalists' Society.
LSL Linnean Society of London.
RES Royal Entomological Society of London.
RES(QG) RES Rooms, 41 Queen's Gate, London SW7.
To make the diary effective contributions are needed from members. Any
relevant items should be sent to the Bulletin Editor. No charge is made for
entries. Please allow three months advance notice.
JUNE
from Draqonfly Mill
8th The only dragonfly museum outside of Japan opens its doors at Ashton,
near Oundle, Northamptonshire. Its central theme will be the
conservation of dragonflies. Exhibition panels, information, videos and
live larvae in tanks will be some of the many attractions. Outside there
are observation platforms and a dragonfly trail. Open from 8th June to
1st October on Thursdays and Fridays (M.OOhrs to IV.OOhrs) and on
Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays (lO.SOhrs to 17.00hrs).
I: British Dragonfly Society.
24th The \Mest of England Creepy Crawly Show.
Newton Abbot Racecourse, Devon. Major Herpetological and
Entomological Show for captive breeders and conservationists in the
West Country.
I: 01626 332775.
BEHNS Field Meeting.
Dawlish Warren, Devon. Evening meeting for light trapping. Meet
20.30hrs at car park.
I: Roy McCormick 01626 779543.
118
JUNE 1995
JULY
1 St LCES Field Meeting.
Little Budworth Common, Oulton, Cheshire (SJ 588655). Meet ll.OOhrs
in car park (with toilets) near to the Lodge Corner gates of Oulton Park
race track.
I: Bill Hardwick 01606 594778.
BEHNS/Dyfed Invertebrate Group Field Meeting.
Dinefwr Deer park, Llandeilo, Dyfed. Meet at 14.00hrs and 20.00hrs at
the car park (SN 615225). One of the most important sites in Wales for
dead wood invertebrates, with a range of rare beetles and flies recorded.
I: Ian Morgan 01558 882111 (am only).
BENHS /Yorkshire Naturalists' Union Field Meeting.
Hatfield Moors, Yorkshire. Meet at 14.00hrs and 20.00hrs. Contact
leader for further details.
I: Brian Eversham 01487 3381 ext. 229 (work); 01480 411376 (home).
5th The Knapweed Gall Fix; Revisited:
New evidence on the population dynamics of this famous insect.
RES (QG) Tea 17.00hrs, Meeting 17.30hrs. Dr J.P. Dempster (University
of Cambridge).
I: RES 0171 584 8361.
8th BEHNS/BC Field Meeting.
Pretsbury Hill, Gloucestershire. Meet at ll.OOhrs and 20.00 hrs at
SO 993245 opposite Upper Hill farm buildings. Records of moths and
other invertebrates needed to help guide management on this Butterfly
Conservation reserve.
I: John Brock 01242 675890.
BEHNS/BC/LNU Field Meeting.
Southrey Wood, Lincolnshire. Meet at 14.30hrs and 20.00hrs at TF
132685 at the entrance off the Bardney to Horncastle road. Records of
moths and their larvae needed in particular.
I: Rex Johnson 01724 763349.
11th Changes in the flora and fauna of Broadland dykes.
BEHNS indoor meeting. Rob DriscoU from Norwich Castle Museum
talks of his work on the Broads and how this has revealed more changes
in both flora and fauna due to the development of more intensive
agriculture.
I: Dr Ian McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
119
1 5th LCES Field Meeting.
Whixall Moss, Shropshire (SJ 496365). Chance to visit this famous
entomological site, now taken over by English Nature. Meet ll.OOhrs at
grid reference, just over the canal swing bridge.
I: Dave Poynton 01625 829189.
BEHNS Field Meeting.
Maidscross Hill, Suffolk. Meet at 14.30hrs and 20.00hrs at TL 725826 on
track from road to site.
1: David Young 01734 415520.
m
BEHNS Field Meeting.
Castle Bottom SSSI, Eversley, Hampshire. Meet at ll.OOhrs and
20.00hrs on the B3016 at the entrance to Redlands quarry (SU 788594).
I: Tony Davis 01252 874346.
16th Entomological Livestock Group Summer Livestock Fair.
At Pattishall Parish Hall, Pattishall, Towcester. 12.00hrs to 15.00hrs.
Admission £1 & 50p.
I: Paul Batty 01909 550272 or Mike Bailey 01327 830853.
21st/ Grand Moth and Butterfly Event.
22nd Warburg Reserve, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Moth trapping
overnight on Friday 21st - meet at Warburg Reserve car park (SU
720880) at 22.30hrs. Saturday meet at 10.30hrs at car park to see the
catch from the previous night, followed by a guided walk led by the
reserve warden to look for butterflies and day-flying moths. Joint meeting
with BC and BBONT.
1: Martin Harvey 01635 550380 (work).
BEHNS Field Meeting.
Richmond Park, Surrey. Meet at 14.00hrs and 20.00hrs at Pembroke
Lodge car park (TQ 187729).
I: Mark Parsons 0181 947 2250.
BEHNS Field Meeting.
Dungeness, Kent. Meet at 20.00hrs at the Britannia pub car park
(TQ 187729).
I: Sean Clancy 01797 321458.
22nd/ Dragonfly Sanctuary Open Day.
23rd At Ashton, near Oundle, Northamptonshire. From 10.30hrs until
16.00hrs with a guided tour at 14.15hrs.
I: British Dragonfly Society.
120
JUNE 1995
28th Moth trapping at Thatcham, Berkshire.
Looking for the Scarce burnished brass and others at Thatcham
reedbeds. Meet at Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre at 20.30hrs. Joint
BC and BBONT meeting. Please book in advance.
I: Thatcham Discovery Centre 01635 874381.
29th BEHNS Field Meeting.
Dinton Pastures. Berkshire. Meet at ll.OOhrs and 20.00hrs at the
Pelham Clinton building. A range of habitats and particularly interesting
for coleopterists.
I: John Muggleton 01784 464537.
BEHNS Field Meeting.
Shortheath Common SSSI. Oakhanger. Hampshire. Meet at ll.OOhrs
and 20.00hrs at SU 775369.
I: Tony Davis 01252 874346.
29th/ Dragonfly Sanctuary Open Day.
30th At Ashton, near Oundle. Northamptonshire. From lO.SOhrs until
16.00hrs with a guided tour at 14.15hrs.
I: British Dragonfly Society.
AUGUST
3rd/ Natural enemies of whiteflies; collection and identification.
5th Short course at International Institute of Entomology.
I: HE 0171 584 0067 or Fax 0171 581 1676.
5th BEHNS Field Meeting.
Snelsmore Common. Berkshire. Meet at 14.00hrs and 20.00hrs at the
main car park off the B4494 (SU 463708).
I: Brian Baker 01734 477809 or Martin Harvey 01635 550380
(work).
12th JCCBI Field Meeting.
New Forest, Hampshire. Meet at ll.OOhrs and 19.30hrs at car park by
woodland through Furzey Lodge (SU 366027). At this meeting the
Nature Conservation Bureau plan to demonstrate an infra-red
illumination system which allows moths to be observed without
disturbance.
I: Paul Waring 01733 571917.
12th/ Dragonfly Sanctuary Open Day.
13th At Ashton. near Oundle. Northamptonshire. From 10.30hrs until
16.00hrs with a guided tour at 14.15hrs.
I: British Dragonfly Society.
AES BULLETIN S
No. 400
EDITORIAL
The AES reaches it's first milestone of the year with this issue of the
Bulletin, the 400th edition. Over the years the Bulletin has played a major
role in the Society's history, and hopefully, will continue to do so in years
to come.
The AGM was once again a very enjoyable event, and thanks must go
to Colin Hart for his organisation as well as our two speakers Richard
Jones and Michael Majerus who gave us an amusing and fascinating
insight into their work! It was disappointing that so few members
attended, this will hopefully be rectified next year!
Of course the AGM saw the departure of Brian Gardiner and Simon
Fraser from Council. Both have contributed substantially to the Society
and we thank them for their hard work over the years. The Secretary
position is temporarilyheld by myself and all correspondence should be
forwarded to me at the address on the inside front cover.
Best wishes for the bug-hunting season!
Wayne Jarvis
AES
Annual Exhibtion
Saturday, 7th October, 1995
at Kempston Park Racecourse
Open ll.OOhrs to 16.30hrs.
88
JUNE 1995
GREY SAND-COVERED BUG: A REQUEST FOR HELP WITH
IDENTIFICATION
by Michael G. Guye (10024)
1 route du Gat Mort. ViUagrains. 33650 Cabanac et ViUagrains. France.
Plate 951, Fig. 1, depicts a grey-coloured insect, resembling a bug, which
is occasionally found here during the summer months. It is approximately
one centimetre long and its body (including legs and antennae) is covered
with very fine sand grains and other minute particles of debris. Some of
these particles appear to rub off if the insect gets wet. It moves in short
rapid bursts of one to two centimetres in length and is found amongst the
roofing tiles (old Roman tiles made of baked clay) of a dilapidated barn
which adjoins our house.
The "roof habitat", where the above is found, heats up considerably in
summer. It contains an abundance of humus and unrotted material,
composed mainly of oak leaf litter, twigs and acorns, due to the presence
of nearby pedunculate oak trees. During the wetter periods of the year
this humus supports a "lawn'" of short green vegetation, though it dries up
completely in summer. Other invertebrates in this habitat include an
abundance of woodlice (two species), springtails, centipedes, and a small
snail species with a cone-shaped shell. The common wall lizard (Podarcis
muralis) and the western whip snake {Coluber vihdiflavus) also frequent
this habitat.
Jones (1983) illustrates the harvestman, Anelasmocephalus cambhdgei
(Arachnida: Opiliones: Trogulidae), which has a similar habit of covering
its body with particulate matter. I assume that the function of this
behaviour is either to provide camouflage against predators and or to
conceal itself more efficiently from potential prey. The latter interpretation
assumes that my find may be a type of assassin bug (Heteroptera:
Reduviidae). I look forward to hearing from any readers who may be able
to identify this insect. Any additional details would also be greatly
appreciated.
REFERENCE
Jones. D. (1983). Spiders of Britain and Northern Europe, Country Life Books. Hamlyn,
Middlesex. England 1994. 320pp.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
121
19th LCES Field Meeting.
Brown Moss, Shropshire. Meet ll.OOhrs at the car park (SJ 562398).
I: Carl Clee 0151 356 1050 (home) 0151 207 0001 (work).
BEHNS Field Meeting.
Decoy Heath SSSI, and Silchester Common SSSI, Berkshire. Meet at
ll.OOhrs and 20.00hrs at SU 614635 at Decoy Heath and at 14.00hrs at
SU 626622 at Silchester Common.
I: Stephen Miles 01784 252274
or Martin Harvey 01635 550380 (work).
BEHNS Field Meeting.
Mission MOD Training Area, Nottinghamshire. Meet at 14.30hrs and
19.30hrs at access point (SK 701972). Limited moth trapping indicates a
rich moth fauna.
I: Sheila Wright 01602 281333.
19th/ Dragonfly Sanctuary Open Day.
20th At Ashton, near Oundle, Northamptonshire. From 10.30hrs until
16.00hrs with a guided tour at 14.15hrs.
I: British Dragonfly Society.
26th BEHNS Field Meeting.
Wandsworth Common, London. Meet at 14.30hrs and 19.30hrs at car
park at Wandsworth Common Nature Study Centre. Please contact
leader in advance.
I: Colin Plant 01279 507697.
SEPTEMBER
2nd BEHNS Field Meeting
Snettisham RSPB Reserve, Norfolk. Meet at 12.00hrs and IS.OOhrs at
car park (TF 647335).
I: Ken Saul 01493 369021.
9th BEHNS Field Meeting
Dungeness, Kent. Meet at IS.OOhrs at Britannia pub car park (TR
092168).
I: Sean Clancy 01797 321458.
13th Some contributions towards a Red Data list of Lepidoptera and
other invertebrates in the London area.
Joint BEHNS and LSL meeting. Colin Plant, well known for his detailed
reviews mapping the distribution of invertebrates in the London area
122
JUNE 1995
threatened. At Linnean Society's rooms, Burlington House, Piccadilly
from IS.OOhrs.
I: Dr Ian McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
14th/ Forests and Insects.
15th Symposium of the Royal Entomological Society of London to be held at
the Natural History Museum, London.
To Register or for I: Mr G.G. Bentley at RES 0171 584 8361.
1 6th LCES Field Meeting.
Cil-Y-Groeslwyd, Clwyd. Daytime meeting in conjunction with the Clwyd
Entomological Society. Meet at grid reference (SJ 126553) at ILOOhrs.
I: Rob Whitehead 01824 704507.
Leafhopper Workshop.
BEHNS Workshop at Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst
Reading. (SU 784718). Starting at lO.SOhrs. Please book places prior to
event.
To book or for I: Dr Ian McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton,
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
BEHNS Field Meeting and Genitalia Workshop.
Natural History Museum Gardens, London. Day to be split between
insect survey and tuition in the preparation and drawing of the genitalia
of Lepidoptera. Contact leader in advance please.
I: Malcolm Scoble 0171 9389200.
1 7th LCES Indoor Meeting.
Review of the 1995 season. At Liverpool Museum , 19.00hrs.
1 9th LCES Field Meeting
Talk to be held at Liverpool Museum 19.00hrs - subject and speaker to
be finalised.
I: Ken Saul 01493 369021.
OCTOBER
7th AES Annual Exhibition.
Kempton Park Racecourse. Doors open ll.OOhrs until IG.OOhrs.
I: Roy McCormick,
36 Paradise Road, Teignmouth, Devon TQ14 8WR.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
121
1 9th LCES Field Meeting.
Brown Moss, Shropshire. Meet ll.OOhrs at the car park (SJ 562398).
I: Carl Clee 0151 356 1050 (home) 0151 207 0001 (work).
BEHNS Field Meeting.
Decoy Heath SSSI, and Silchester Common SSSI, Berkshire. Meet at
ll.OOhrs and 20.00hrs at SU 614635 at Decoy Heath and at M.OOhrs at
SU 626622 at Silchester Common.
I: Stephen Miles 01784 252274
or Martin Harvey 01635 550380 (work).
BEHNS Field Meeting.
Mission MOD Training Area, Nottinghamshire. Meet at 14.30hrs and
19.30hrs at access point (SK 701972). Limited moth trapping indicates a
rich moth fauna.
I: Sheila Wright 01602 281333.
19th/ Dragonflx; Sanctuary Open Day.
20th At Ashton, near Oundle, Northamptonshire. From 10.30hrs until
16.00hrs with a guided tour at 14.15hrs.
I: British Dragonfly Society.
26th BEHNS Field Meeting.
Wandsworth Common, London. Meet at 14.30hrs and 19.30hrs at car
park at Wandsworth Common Nature Study Centre. Please contact
leader in advance.
I: Colin Plant 01279 507697.
SEPTEMBER
2nd BEHNS Field Meeting
Snettisham RSPB Reserve, Norfolk. Meet at 12.00hrs and IS.OOhrs at
car park (TF 647335).
I: Ken Saul 01493 369021.
9th BEHNS Field Meeting
Dungeness, Kent. Meet at IS.OOhrs at Britannia pub car park (TR
092168).
I: Sean Clancy 01797 321458.
13th Some contributions towards a Red Data list of Lepidoptera and
other invertebrates in the London area.
Joint BEHNS and LSL meeting. Colin Plant, well known for his detailed
reviews mapping the distribution of invertebrates in the London area
122
JUNE 1995
threatened. At Linnean Sociea-'s rooms. Burlington House. Piccadilly
from IS.OOhrs.
I: Dr Ian McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
14th Forests and Insects.
15th Symposium of the Royal Entomological Societi,' of London to be held at
the Natural Histori,' Museum. London.
To Register or for I: Mr G.G. Bentley at RES 0171 584 8361.
16th LCES Field Meeting.
CilA'-Groeslwyd. Cluyd. Daytime meeting in conjunction with the Clwyd
Entomological Society-. Meet at grid reference (SJ 126553) at ILOOhrs.
I: Rob Whitehead 01824 704507.
Leafhopper Workshop.
BEHNS Workshop at Dinton Pastures Country- Park. Davis Street. Hurst
Reading. (SU 784718). Staning at lO.SOhrs. Please book places prior to
event.
To book or for L Dr Ian McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton,
Huntingdon. Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
BEHNS Field Meeting and Genitalia Workshop.
Natural History Museum Gardens. London. Day to be split between
insect sun^'ey and tuition in the preparation and drawing of the genitalia
of Lepidoptera. Contact leader in advance please.
I: Malcolm Scoble 0171 9389200.
17th LCES Indoor Meeting.
Review of the 1995 season. At Liveipool Museum . 19.00hrs.
19th LCES Field Meeting
Talk to be held at Lii'eipool Museum 19.00hrs - subject and speaker to
be finalised.
I: Ken Saul 01493 369021.
OCTOBER
7th AES Annual Exhibition.
Kempton Park Racecourse. Doors open ll.OOhrs until 16.00hrs.
I: Roy McCormick,
36 Paradise Road, Teignmouth. Devon TQ14 8WR.
BEE
RESEARCH
ASSOCIATION
18 NORTH ROAD
CARDIFF
CFl 3DY
For Scientific and Technical
information on Bees (Apoidea)
especially Honeybees (ApisSP).
Please write to the above address for
details of publications and membership.
A specimen copy of "Bee World" is
obtainable for 50p.
MICROSCOPES
Specialist suppliers of stereo
microscopes and compound
microscopes for Entomology
studies.
All instruments suitable for
photography and drawing
attachments.
Large stocks of used
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Books, slides, stains, equip
ment - the complete service.
30 page illustrated catalogue
(stamp appreciated).
Telephone helpline for
enquiries and viewing
appointments
01272 591551
open until 10pm daily.
BRUNEL MICROSCOPES LTD
Dept. AES, 113 Henbury Road
Bristol BS10 7AA
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. . .except his jumper
Since this photo was taken,
back in 1969, a lot has
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Cravitz Printing has changed
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FAIR
16 th JIL¥ 1995
PATTISHALL llLLAttE HALL. PATTISHALL.
\i .TOn€ESTER. \ORTILA>IPTO\SHIRE
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THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY
ANNUAL EXHIBITION, 1995
Saturday, 7th October
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE,
STAINES ROAD, SUNBURY, MIDDX.
MAPS on the reverse of the leaflet show the location of the hall.
ACCESSIBILITY: The Racecourse is easy to reach by road and rail, and
there is adequate free car parking. The M25 is very near and is linked
to Kempton Park by the M3, which is less than a mile away. Sunbury
Railway Station with trains from Waterloo, is a short walk away. The
site is served by two bus routes. Green Line No. 290, and Red bus No.
216. Both these buses stop right outside.
ADMISSION: by Programme at the door, 50p. In addition, sticky
badges will be issued. These are to be worn while at the show.
PARKING: in the free car parks only. NOT outside the Grandstand.
Keep all entrances clear.
EXHIBITORS AND DEALERS ONLY will be admitted between 8 am
and 11 am.
TROLLEYS are not provided and provision should be made for heavy
loads.
ENTOMOLOGICAL DEALERS are attending.
REFRESHMENTS: Full facilities are available. All food and drink to be
consumed in the Refreshment Area.
SURPLUS MATERIAL: will be welcome for sale on behalf of the
Society's funds.
ANSORGE BEQUEST: Cash prizes and certificates to Junior Members
for exhibits at the Exhibition.
LIVESTOCK: It is the duty of both dealers and buyers to ensure that all
livestock is kept in containers which are roomy, hygienic and secure
against any possible escape.
EXHIBITS which show long series of wild-caught, rare or endangered
species will not be allowed.
ALL ENQUIRIES: Roy McCormick,
36 Paradise Road, Teignmouth, Devon TQ14 8NR
CONTENTS
M.G. Guye. Grey sand-covered bug: A request for help with identification 88
M.G. Guye. Some cricket species found in south-western France: Observations
under field and captive conditions '. 89
£. Benton. Meadows, Mountains and Butterflies: Austrian Tyrol, August 1993 100
M/.J. Jarvis. 60 years of the Amateur Entomologists' Society. Part ill. 1955-64 107
Short Communications
M.O. Hughes. Rare Syrphid found in Gwynedd, Wales 104
S. Irons. British Dragonfly Society National Survey 105
D. N orris. Help wanted curing a problem with a cabinet 106
Editorial 87
Book Review
The Butterfleis and Moths of Berkshire 106
Diary Dates 117
NOTICE
It is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theories, expressed in the pages of this Journal are solely those
of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or sought, requests for help or informa-
tion, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Editor, the Officers and Council of the Society, nor its Trustees, can be held
responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance thereon.
© 1995. The Amateur Entomologists' Society.
(Registered Charity No. 267430)
All rights reserved.
Published 20th June 1995 by the Amateur Entomologists' Society
(Registered Charity No. 267430), from 4 Steep Close. Orpington. Kent BR6 6DS.
Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd.. 1 Tower Hill. Brentwood. Essex CM14 4TA.
The Bulletin of the
Amateur
Entomologists'
2S oer „
Society j PREserv I
i ENTQMOIQC;^ j:
dl Jiiiilljilee Edition
Volume 54, No. 401, August. 1995
'mm
ISSN
0266-836X
EDITOR
WAYNE JARVIS BSc.
The Amateur Entomologists' Society
Founded in 1935
President:
Secretarx;:
Treasurer:
Registrar:
Bulletin Editor:
General Editor:
Advertising Secretarx;:
Exhibition Secretary;:
Youth Secretarv:
ICN Editor:
Wants & Exchange:
Habitat Conservation Officer:
Rob Dyke
26 Ridings Avenue. Winchmore Hill. London N21 2EL.
Wayne Jarvis
9a Brook Street. Luton. Bedfordshire LU3 IDS.
e-mail: jar\.'isw(a bbsrc.ac.uk. Tel: (01582) 485820.
Andrew Locke
150 Sheen Road. Richmond. Surrey TW9 lUU.
Mark Colvin
5 Oakfield. Plaistovw Billingshurst. West Sussex RH14 OQD.
Wayne Jarvis
9a Brook Street. Luton. Bedfordshire LU3 IDS.
Mike Bonsall
Centre for Population Biology. Imperial College at Silwood
Park. Ascot. Berkshire SL5 7PY. e-mail: mbonsall(a ic.ac.uk.
Rob Dyke
26 Ridings Avenue. Winchmore Hill. London N21 2EL.
Roy McCormick
36 Paradise Road. Teignrnouth. Devon TQ14 8WR.
Darren Mann
c o The Registrar, address as above.
David Lonsdale
33 King's Road. Alton. Hampshire GU34 IPX.
Owen Lewis
School of Biological Sciences. University of Birmingham.
Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT.
e-mail: o.t.lewis(a bham.ac.uk.
Martin Harvey
10 Kiln Ride. Upper Basildon. Berkshire RG8 8TA.
Subscriptions: First subscription (including entrance fee) £11. or £8 under
18. Renewals £9 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12.
Subcription due on the 1st January each year.
Advertising Rate: The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the
Bulletin. Full page £60. Half page £40. Quarter page £25.
Insert charges available on request to Advertising Secretary,
address as above.
Cover illustration by Phil Wilkins
Worldwide Butterflies
Sherborne, Dorset dt9 4qn. tgi 01935 74608 Fax 01935 29937
Colour Catalogue 1995/6
A wide range of butterfly and moth
livestock, colour illustrations on every
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Cover Illustration by Sally Goodden
BA (Hons). Illustrator
CATALOGUES OF SPECIMENS FOR
ENTOMOLOGICAL STUDY
We will be pleased to send
any of the following.
50p in stamps would be appreciated.
Please mention The AES.
1. The Allcard Collection
8000 superb European butterflies. Very
important collection in exceptionally fine
condition. Fine mahogany Hill Cabinets.
2. British Butterfly Aberrations. Colour
catalogue of rarities and licenced
protected species from old collections.
3. British Moths.
4. A Hundred and One Exotic Butterflies
in colour.
5. Exotic Set and Papered Specimens
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Cabinet Drawers and Antique Books
? : r : : ; There h^i oiuseives 1:7 : 7.
Tnis 15 no: :r ^ : ? ~: 3 I esfer drs?~-- :: " 'n ?-i—:.z'
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your larvae anc 7 policies.
For subseqi-c : f : : : :: - r: the undermeniioned items please :
local pdice ster : . : - - :: ^ t: :: Pesding Police (017S-
Details of draaers of Lepidoptera and Antiquarian Books
stolen betueen 29th July and 3rd July 1995.
Type
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30 page illustrated catalog
(stamp appreciated).
Telephone helpline for
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01272 591551
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'^^ " ARE YOU MISSING OUT?
THE
ENTOMOLOGIST'S
RECORD
k and Journal of Variation
' / . , V \
Publishes notes, observations, articles and reviews,
mainly on the Lepidoptera and Coleoptera of the British Isles and Europe.
Founded in 1890 by J. W. Tutt. and still going strong, we publish six issues a year -
alternating with the AES Bulletin. This means there is now a first class entomological
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Our subscription price is £20 per year. If you would like to see a specimen cop>'. please send
your name and address, and a couple of second class stamps to cover postage to:
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AES BULLETIN
%9 S^-^^"
mm
No. 401
the1\!ati^l
HISTH--
23 OCT 18S5
j PRESENTED
I ENTOMOLOGY LIBRARY
Editorial
The AES reaches its 60th Anniversary this month, and I am sure that the six
original members of the Society, in 1935, never thought that it would grow
and flourish as it has. Over the years many people have given their free time
to the Society, all having played their part in the Society's history. I feel that it
would be wrong to name people individually, as I would most probably leave
some names out. The Society has provided its members with publications,
the Bulletin, field meetings, and of course the exhibition. All have been
successful and will hopefully continue to be so in the future.
The Annual Exhibition takes place at Kempton Park racecourse this year
on Saturday 7th October. Doors open at 11am and entrance is only 50p.
Further details can be obtained from the advert in this Bulletin. At the
exhibition, there will be a Special General Meeting to propose some
amendments in the Society's constitution, relating to conservation issues. The
time for this meeting still has to be finalised, but can be obtained by ringing
me nearer the event or by looking for the notices at the exhibition.
Wayne Jarvis
124
AUGUST 1995
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES OF THE FRENCH PYRENEES,
22nd -31st JULY 1994
by Paul Waring (4220) and Rachael Thomas
From 22nd to 31st July 1994 we were fortunate enough to have the use
of a farmhouse, or gite, in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, from
which we operated a Robinson pattern light trap most nights, recording
over 150 species of larger moths. "Wine ropes" (Goater 1986, Waring
1995) were also used with success in the woodland around the gite and
at campsites on the return journey from the gite to the Channel ferry. We
also made several trips from the gite further into the mountains, recording
the moths and butterflies seen along the way. This article reports the list
of species recorded and the more memorable events and observations
which took place. A major aim was to encounter some of the Crimson
underwing moths (Catocalinae) and in this we were successful.
The habitat around the gite
Our gite was situated among a small cluster of similar buildings at Les
Aberes (42°57'16"N, 1°16'11"E, altitude 760 metres) just above the
village of Rivierenert, near St. Girons in the Department of Ariege. The
buildings of Les Aberes were all formerly occupied by members of an
agricultural community who farmed the surrounding hillsides. Some of
the buildings are still in use for this purpose and our neighbour was a
cheese maker of local renown who continues to tend a small herd of
cattle on hillside meadows by the gite. Some of the other buildings are
second homes of French families or are let as holiday cottages.
Immediately around the buildings were several vegetable gardens with
potatoes, french beans, beetroot and various Brassicas, others were
overgrown with wild plants. There were scattered pear trees P\;rus and
the boundary hedges contained hazel Corxjius auellana, blackthorn
Prunus spinosa, alder Alnus glutinosa, elder Sambucus nigra, ash
Fraxinus excelsior, medlar Mespilus germanica. goat willow Salix
capraea, common hawthorn Crataegus monog\;na, broom Cxjtisus
scoparius, gorse Ulex sp., holly Ilex aquifolium, bramble Rubus fruticosus
and ivy Hedera helix.
The open grassy meadows by the gardens and down the slopes from
the houses were herb-rich. Some of the herbs they contained were dark
mullein Verbascum nigrum, scabiouses Knoutia Scabiosa spp.. plantains
Plantago spp., buttercups Ranunculus sp., stinging nettles Urtica dioica.
docks Rumex spp., angelica Angelica sxjuestris. fen bedstraw Galium
uliginosum, mallow Malua syjiuestris, musk mallow Malva moschata.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
125
wood sage Teucrium scorodonia, yarrow Achillea millefolium, red clover
Trifolium pratense, imperforate St. John's-wort Hypericum maculatum,
hemp agrimony Eupatorium cannabinum, bird's-foot trefoil Lotus
corniculatus, mignonette Reseda lutea, vetches including Vicia cracca,
basil Clinopodium uulgare, dandelion Taraxacum agg., pale toadflax
Linaria repens, starry saxifrage Saxifraga stellaris and a wild barley
Hordeum sp.
The major part of the surrounding hillsides were covered in woodland
extending down to Rivierenert. Trees, shrubs and the woody perenials
noted included oaks Quercus spp., ash, hazel, false acacia Robina
pseudacacia, Norway spruce Picea abies, sweet chestnut Castanea satiua,
elders S. nigra and S. racemosa, silver birch Betula pendula, aspen
Populus tremula, alder, beech Fagus s\;lvatica, dewberry Rubus caesius,
alder buckthorn Frangula alnus, sallows Salix spp., holly, blackthorn,
gean Prunus avium, ling heather Calluna vulgaris and traveller's joy
Clematis vitalba. The non-woody climbing black bryony Tamus
communis was also common.
The moths at the gite
The light trap was operated in the garden of our gite overlooking the
woodland (Plate 95M, Fig. 1). It was operated from before dusk until after
dawn on eight nights (22nd to 27th, 29th and 30th July) and produced
the accompanying list of moths. The majority of species turned up on
several nights and as several individuals per night. The list is divided into
two parts - those species which are also resident in Britain and those
which have only been recorded as migrants or which are unknown to the
British Isles. Of the 155 species of moths we recorded at this site, 132
species (85%) are resident in Great Britain.
Of particular interest to the visitor from Britain are such British rarities
as the Olive crescent Trisateles emortualis, several of which turned up
most nights, the Clay fan-foot Paracolax derivalis and the Lace border
Scopula ornata, which was frequent. There was a good selection of
species which we associate with the larger semi-natural broad-leaved
woodlands of Britain, such as the Festoon Apoda limacodes, Cloaked
carpet Euph{;ia biangulata and August thorn Ennomos quercinaria and it
was interesting to see the Gold spangle Autographa bractea, which is a
species of northern Britain and evidently equally at home at the altitudes
provided by the foothills of the Pyrenees. The Four-spotted footman
Lithosia quadra was frequent, with as many as half a dozen in the trap
per night. On several occasions mating pairs of this large, sexually
dimorphic species were found in the trap in the morning.
126
AUGUST 1995
Of the species not resident in Britain, some are on the British list as
migrants, ranging from annual visitors such as the Silver Y Autographa
gamma (practically a resident, could well breed continuously in some
places) and Hummingbird hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum to
rarities which once bred here like the Black V moth Arctornis l-nigrum
and rare vagrants such as the Latin Callopistria juuentina.
Only Odonestis pruni (Plate 95M, Fig. 2), Paida murina, Ephesia
fulminea and Deltotes candidula appear never to have been recorded in
Britain. P. murina is a southern European species, where it is widespread,
D. candidula appears to be more widespread but somewhat local. O.
pruni has been recorded widely in central and southern Europe but is
reported to be rare in numbers. Five were seen at Les Aberes. all in the
light trap, the first on 24th July, two more on 25th July and two on 27th
July. The larvae are reported to feed on various species of Prunus, and
the foliage of other trees including oak, birch, alder and elm Ulmus spp.
Light trapping and wine-roping for Crimson underwings
The light trapping got off to an exciting start with the discovery on the first
morning of a single Ephesia fulminea in perfect condition in the trap. This
moth is closely related to the Crimson underwings but has yellow and
black hindwings instead of red and black. Reichholf-Riehm (1991) reports
that the species is declining or has been lost from some parts of Europe so
it was pleasing to record it here. However, this individual proved to be
the only one we saw during our visit. The larva is recorded to feed on
Prunus spp. and Kirby (1903) specifies that old bushes are favoured. As
there were Prunus species around the gite, perhaps the moth is breeding
here.
We were greatly encouraged to see the above member of the
Catocalinae so soon during our visit and hoped for others because the
last week in July and early part of August is a good time to encounter this
group. This was the main reason for using wine-ropes as extensively as
we did. It is widely known that the Crimson underwings are more likely to
come to food bait than to light traps - particularly in the early part of the
flight season. The traditional method of bating for the group is "sugaring"
which involves painting a potion based on black treacle in strips on ti-ee
trunks, fence posts and other objects and which can be quite successful.
The method works best if the same trees are "sugared" night after night
on a regular beat. It becomes quite expensive if one wants to "sugar" in a
different place each night and one can find oneself getting through
several tins of black treacle in a week. "Wine-roping" is a technique
introduced to Britain from Sweden (Goater 1986) and involves soaking
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
127
cotton string or washing line in a saturated solution of white granulated
sugar in cheap red wine and hanging up convenient one metre lengths on
bushes and the lower branches of trees (Plate 95M, Fig. 3). The "wine-
ropes" are stored in a tub of the solution when not in use and can be
used over and over again. We used ten such ropes and a single eight
franc (90p) bottle of red wine for the week.
The first night (23rd July) we put the wine-ropes on bushes along the
farm track by the gite and attracted a few moths but no Catocala spp. The
moths comprised several White specks M\;thimna unipuncta, two Buff
arches Habrosijne pi^ritoides, one Copper underwing Amphipijra
p\;rannidea, one Common lutestring Ochropacha duplaris and one Dark
arches Apamea monoglypha. The temperature was 16 °C. The second
night (24th July) we repeated the operation along a forestry track (Route
Forestiere des Embalisses) through the oak-dominated woodland lower
down the hill side, just above Rivierenert. We hung the ropes on the low
branches of oaks, beeches, birches and sallows along the track. The
temperature was 20 °C, the air was dead calm. Most of the moths arrived
between dusk (21.45 hrs) and one hour later. Moths on this second night
included an Old lady Mormo mama at 22.20 hrs (Plate 95M, Fig. 4) but
no Catocala spp. The other moths were much as on previous nights
including several M. unipuncta and A. pyramidea, singletons of all the
other species seen on the previous night and one Dun-bar Cosmia
trapezina. We took the ropes away at 23.30 hrs by which time the
temperature was 19 °C. The third night we set some wine-ropes up in a
small copse of oaks before moving on to dine at a restaurant in Foix. We
returned to inspect the wine-ropes after our meal and found an Old lady
moth feeding along with other smaller moths and a large Catocala.
Unfortunately we fumbled our attempt to box the latter for identification
and it flitted off into the darkness, not to be seen again, in spite of our
waiting around for half an hour afterwards. At least this result proved that
Catocala moths were on the wing.
On the morning of 28th July there was great excitement because a
Crimson underwing was seen in the light trap at the gite as we
approached to inspect the catch. The morning was mild and some of the
moths were skittish, so the trap was brought indoors for emptying. We
opened up the trap to find not one but three Crimson underwings. These
all proved to be the Light crimson underwing C. promissa, despite some
individual variation in markings. Spurred on by this result we returned to
the forest track baited on 24th July. This time four Catocala moths came
to the wine-ropes and again all proved to be C. promissa (Plate 95N, Fig.
i 5). The first of these arrived at 22.15 hrs, which was just after it was
properly dark, and the last arrived nearly an hour later.
128
AUGUST 1995
Light trapping at Les Esquirottes
On 30th July we recorded Crimson underwings at Les Esquirottes
(42°55'N 0°57'30"E, altitude approximately 1000 metres). We visited this
site with Terry HoUingsworth, who is currently based at Toulouse and
runs light traps in the area. On this occasion we set up a 125W mercury
vapour light on a tripod over a sheet on a forest track running through
oak scrub and regenerating woodland (Plate 95N, Fig. 6). We chose a
spot near mature oak trees and noted that there were more than one
species of oak present, finding several Quercus pubescens along the track.
There were also lots of herbs and forbs among the scrubby trees and
bushes that covered most of the area in view but, because we arrived
near dusk, left in the middle of the night and were fully occupied
recording moths, it was not possible to make a plant list for the site.
The first Catocala arrived soon after dusk and the last we saw was at
23.30 hrs, just before we packed up at midnight. We actually saw this one
arrive from out of the darkness and settle on a wine-rope, completely
undistracted by the torch beam we used to view it. It is of interest to
report that the nearest of the "wine-ropes" was only 25 metres from the
mercury vapour light over a sheet and the furthest wine-rope was only 50
metres away. The Crimson underwings came to both of these wine-ropes
but none came to the light over the sheet, even though it was operated
continuously, in view of the wine-ropes throughout the session.
Other moths we were particularly pleased to see at Les Esquirottes
included the Dark bordered beauty Epione paralellaria and Netted carpet
Eustroma reticulata, the pyrale Uresiphita polxjgonalis, and the very large
grey geometrid Gnophos fuluata.
Other records from the St. Girons area
The Great banded grayling Brintesia circe was seen frequently along the
track to the gite at Les Aberes. The Piedmont ringlet Erebia meolans.
Wood white Leptidea sinapis, Provengal short-tailed blue Eueres alcetus
and the Holly blue Celastrina argiolus were also recorded here.
Hummingbird hawk-moths Macroglossum stellatarum were seen every
day visiting flowers around the entrance of the gite. While walking on the
bracken-covered {Pteridium aquilinum) ridge above the gite, we saw a
very worn Queen of Spain fritillary Arg\;ninis lathonia. Along the forest
track between the ridge and the gite we saw male Oak eggar moths
Lasiocampa quercus frantically searching for females in the sunshine.
Driving down from the gite we encountered a group of butterflies feeding
at the flowers of a large white umbel by a roadside ditch just before we
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
129
reached Rivierenert. These included a Map butterfly Amschnia leuana, a
Scarce swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius and several Small copper Lycaena
phlaeas.
On the way from the gite to Les Esquirottes with Terry Hollingsworth
we stopped to inspect a small bridge, really only a culvert, where the road
crossed a stream (Plate 95N, Fig. 7). A contact of Terry's had reported a
"roost of Catocala moths" which he had found while searching the culvert
for bats. We climbed down from the road and waded under the low
culvert, crouching over the water to do so. There, crammed into crevices
in the masonry, we found a communal roost of Old lady moths Mormo
maura (Plate 95N, Fig. 8), as we suspected and as one sometimes finds
along canals and in tunnels in Britain.
(to be continued)
ROESEL S BUSH-CRICKET IN SURREY
by C. Martin (7962)
While taking a walk around Hedgecourt Lake (Grid ref: 51/354405) on
19th August 1994 I heard a loud and penetrating cricket song. There at
the edge of a wheatfield I found a male Metrioptera roeselii F. diluta. I
have not found any Roesel's bush crickets there before, although I often
take this walk. As I had my camera I managed to take a photograph as
illustrated in figure 1 .
Fig. 1. Roesel's bush cricket, Metrioptera roeselii.
130
AUGUST 1995
OBSERVING BUTTERFLIES IN AUSTRIA, JULY 1994
by Toni; Steele (4106)
97 Benares Road. Plumstead. London SEIS I Hi'.
This is an account of the butterflies observed in Austria, with a short
excursion into Germany, over a two week period. Base was in the
lakeside resort of Zell am See. in the province of Salzburg. This busy little
lakeside town, backed by the impressive 1965-metre high Schmittenhohe
mountain, is ideally situated with regular train and bus services, and
several cable-ways, thereby giving access to some very good butterfly
habitats. One point to note is that the conservation laws in Austria are
very strict, and nearly all species (except some pierids) are strongly
protected. I applied to the government for a permit to use a net for
recording purposes, but was refused. I have omitted the common species
to be found in Britain.
Mittelstation to Zell am See
This walk started at an altitude of 1362 metres, and passed through
several habitat types including coniferous woodland and alpine meadow.
First species encountered was the Scarce copper (Lxjcaena virgaureae)
which was very abundant, five seen on a flower head of Alpine ragwort
{Senecio alpinus), and amongst them was a single Blue-spot hairstreak
{Str\;monidia spini). At this altitude were several specimens of the
mountain form of the Green-veined white (Piehs napi brijoniae). Despite
the sunny and hot weather, there was a distinct scarcity of the Satyrinae
family, only singletons of the Arran brown (Erebia hgea) and Large wail
brown [Lasiommata maera). The woodland edges were rich in flora and
provided some of the best places to observe such species as the Queen of
Spain fritillary (Arg\jinnis lathonia). Black-veined white {Aporia crataegi)
and Mountain argus [Aricia artaxerxes).
Schmittenhohe to Zell am See via Sonnalm
The first part of this three-and-a-half hour walk was through herb-rich
alpine grassland, then into coniferous woodland which gradually changed
to mixed woodland. The first species seen was a single Heath fritillary
[Mellicta athalia) (Plate 950. Fig. 9) which settled on my camera bag as I
admired the view! Several Titania's fritillaries [Clossiana titonia) were
noted, as well as an abundance of Scarce coppers. Five species of the
Satyrinae were recorded, some in large numbers. They were the Arran
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
131
brown, Eriphyle ringlet (Erebia eriphxjie), Large wall brown and the
Lesser mountain ringlet (Erebia melampus) . The only member of
thePieridae identified, from many seen, was a specimen of the Southern
small white (Pieris mannii).
Krimml Gorge
This tourist spot, with the highest waterfalls in Europe, was a
disappointment. Only 14 imagines of six species were seen the whole
afternoon, which could have been due to the large volume of people
visiting this attraction daily. The "commonest" butterfly was the Arran
brown with just six specimens noted, and it was at this location that I had
my first sighting of the Large ringlet (Erebia euryale).
Grossglockner (Plate 950, Fig. 10)
This was the highest point visited at 2136 metres, and another
disappointing locality. To say that it was commercialised is an under-
statement, it had a multi-storey car park, supermarket and several gift
shops. I had anticipated finding some interesting Erebias at this altitude,
but it was not to be. The only example seen of this genus was the Lesser
mountain ringlet. Other species recorded were the Green-veined white,
form bryoniae, and a profusion of the Shepherd's fritillary (Boloria pales).
This was the easiest place to observe Marmots (Marmota marmota)
though - they had a particular liking for bread and chocolate!
Hotel Garden
A very lazy afternoon was had one day relaxing by the hotel pool, with an
occasional swim. I was not giving much attention to the butterflies settling
on the plants but one made me take note. It was large and orange-brown
in colour, and on further investigation it proved to be a Large tortoiseshell
(Nymphalis polychloros) , the only one seen over the two weeks.
Kaprun, Upper Dam (Plate 950, Fig. 11)
Set at 2040 metres and another major tourist spot, nevertheless it was
quite good for Lepidoptera. The first species encountered was a couple of
Bath whites (Pontia daplidice), these were followed by some Southern
small white's. Three of the Erebias came next, the Blind ringlet (Erebia
pharte), Lesser mountain ringlet and Eriphyle ringlet. The only member of
the Lycaenidae recorded was a single specimen of the Alpine argus
(Albulina orbitulus). There was a surprise sighting of a Brimstone
(Gonepteryx rhamni), as they are rarely seen above 1800 metres.
132
AUGUST 1995
Berchtesgaden
This was the excursion into Germany referred to earlier, to visit "the
Eagle's Nest"", a restaurant and viewpoint, set upon the Kehlstein
mountain at 1834 metres. The paths were so well trodden, they consisted
of bare rock, consequently butterflies were few in number. I recorded just
nine Arran browns and a Large wall brown. A Painted lady [Cijnthia
cardui) paused briefly to feed, before flying off in a northerly direction.
Kitzbuhelerhorn
A pleasant and gentle walk starting at the cable car station at 1996
metres, down to Kitzbuhel. passing through the Alpine garden. Three
species of Erebia were identified, the Blind ringlet. Eriphyle ringlet and
Large ringlet. Some of the other species noted were the Alpine heath and
Mazarine blue {Ci^'aniris semiargus). The Alpine garden is well worth a
visit. It covered an extensive area of the mountain, with several habitat
types and clearly labelled plants, which included Edelweiss
(Leontop odium alpinum). many Gentian species and the Turks-cap lily
{Liliuni niartagon).
Zeller Moos Nature Reserve
Situated on the southern shore of Lake Zell and consisting of mainly
marshland, with some rough grassland and scrub on the drier parts. Being
a resei-ve for ornithology, it was poor for Lepidoptera. The only species
seen were several of the common Pierids. a single Clouded yellow {Colias
crocea) and feeding on a Bramble bush a Silver-washed fritillary
[Argynnis paphiQ).
Schmittenhohe to Mittelstation
This was undoubtedly the finest walk of my stay. 21 species in two hours!
Starting from the summit at 1965 meti-es. the first section was through
some recently grazed meadows, which were totally devoid of any
butterflies. Then the habitat changed, with the path passing through uncut
hay meadows, then woodland with particularly wide rides. The leading
species was the Arran brown which was very abundant, then came the
common Scarce copper and several Eriphyle ringlets. Along the herb-rich
woodland rides were to be found the Niobe fritillary {Argijnnis niobe).
Dark green fritillai-y {Arg\;nnis aglaja) and Silver-spotted skipper [Hesperia
comma). A large dark butterfly was observed drinking at a mountain-side
spring, and as 1 approached its wings opened to reveal the purple and
cream colours of a Camberwell beauty {N\;mphalis antiopa). and on a
flower nearby was a Queen of Spain fritillai-y.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
133
Conclusion
The Zell am See district is an excellant area in which to observe
butterflies, with such a comprehensive range of habitat types, and
excellent transport facilities. My total count was a surprising 43 species,
and this would surely have been much more, but for the reluctance of the
Austrian authorities to grant a permit to use a net for identification
purposes. If you would like a full locality/species list, please forward a 9x7
SAE, marked Austria, to the above address.
REFERENCES
Chinery, M. (1989). Butterflies and Day F/ying Moths of Britain and Europe. Collins,
London.
Higgins, L.G. & Riley, N.D. (1984). A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe.
Collins, London.
Riickstuhl, T. (1994). Schmetterlinge und Raupen. Grafe und Unzer, Miinchen, Germany.
Whalley, P. (1987). The Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guide to Butterflies. Mitchell Beazlcy,
London.
GLASGOW OBSERVATIONS
by Frank McGann (6291)
On a nice sunny autumn day a group of us went beyond Easterhouse
towards Bargeddie Parish Church. We went along a road bordering the
now filled-in Monkland canal, and leading to Hamilton's coal-yard. I was
hoping to find a larva or two, especially Grey daggers which are common
on the hawthorn hedges further along the road beyond the coal-yard.
Before we got there, however, I found a White ermine caterpillar. It was
on a thistle plant at the edge of the pavement. It was resting low down on
the stem and was feeding on the leaves. Thistles were growing in
profusion on the bank where the larva was found. I also pursued a moth
which looked like a Silver Y, but it eluded me.
Later on, we found a good number of Grey dagger larvae on the
hawthorn hedges. They were of varying sizes - from second or third instar
to almost full-grown specimens. I also searched the twigs of the hawthorn
for Coxcomb prominent larvae but none were noticed.
Meanwhile at home I am feeding the White ermine larva on leaves of
thistle, sow-thistle, plantain and dandelion. It hasn't pupated yet, but I'm
sure it is about full-grown.
We didn't quite make the journey to Bargeddie Parish Church that day,
but turned north towards Commonhead housing estate. The church lies
to the south of that area. Nevertheless it was a good day out, and I've
added another species to my collection. I released two Grey dagger
caterpillars onto the birch tree in my garden.
134
AUGUST 1995
EXHIBITION REPORT AND LIST OF EXHIBITORS AT THE
1994 EXHIBITION, HELD AT KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE
ON 8TH OCTOBER 1994
The day started dry for a change, with sunshine and clouds; a good
queue formed about an hour before opening time and a couple of the
committee members sold programmes to ease the rush when the doors
were opened. It is certainly much better when the weather is on our side
but this factor did not seen to make any difference to the numbers
attending; only 1134 door receipts were collected which is 94 less than
last year.
There were 31 applications on the booking form for exhibit table space,
with a further five verbal applications making a total of 36. I had 31
exhibits and reports; a further six applications did not have a report and I
had one exhibitor who did not send me the booking form but did hand in
a report; if all the people who booked tables, verbally or otherwise,
turned up with an exhibit (counting the ones who did not send me a
booking form) we would have had a total of 37 exhibits. I know 1994 was
not a good year but there were some good things about that were worthy
of an exhibit.
Forty-seven dealers attended selling a variety of goods including a
much restricted trade in live- and dead-stock: also exhibiting were thirteen
other Natural History Societies including the usual AES stands. A total of
sixty stands were in operation.
I found that the catering this year was not good: I had hoped that we
had this side of our Exhibition sorted out but when I went for lunch the
bar was staffed by an under-manager and one other and only one food
counter was open; the food here was reasonable but the (frozen)
vegetables had not been cooked properly. A large queue formed early on
and I understand that certain items of food and drink ran out early in the
afternoon; a sad state of affairs and one that engendered a letter of
complaint from yours truly. I hope that the situation is resolved for this
year.
I would like to thank the following members for helping me to set up on
Friday 7th October 1994: Sid and Jill Painter. Colin Hart. Bernard
Skinner, Martin Love, Pat Cordell. John Muggleton. Andrew Halstead.
Dennis O'Keefe, Peter Baker, Graham Collins and David Young.
My thanks go to Andrew Halstead. David Young and Pat Cordell for
helping me to clear up after the Exhibition: this is not forgetting the
helpers who gave up their free time throughout the day. The Exhibition
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
135
would not run without this valuable source of assistance. Carry on the
good work. Just a small note, the helpers on the evening before and the
people who help to clear up after are invited for a free pint in the local
hostelry. Anybody who wishes to help please contact me nearer the date,
which for this year is 6th October for setting up and 7th October 1995 for
the Exhibition. I do hope that I did not leave anybody out of the helpers;
if I have, I can only apologise for the omission.
Member's exhibits:
Paul Brock (4792). Exhibited two drawers of spectacular Australian
Stick and Leaf Insects, as follows: Acroph[;lla titan (Macleay), Eur^cnema
goliath (Gray), E. cercata Redtenbacher, Tropidoderus childrenii (Gray),
Didymuria violescens (Leach), Extatosoma tiaratum (Macleay), Mesaner
sarpedon (Westwood), Megacrania batesii (Kirby), Anophelepis sp.,
Pachymorpha pasithoe (Westwood), Sipyloidea filiformis Redtenbacher
and Ph{jUium sp.
Livestock exhibited included adults of Ctenomorphodes tessulata
(Gray), a Eucal\;ptus feeding species, sometimes a pest in south-east
Australia and large nymphs of E. goliath. From other countries - adults of
the leaf-insect Phijllium bioculatum from Java, feeding on bramble and
adult females of Datames oileus (Westwood) from Singapore feeding on
Tradescantia sp.
Alan Bulter (7903). This exhibit comprised natural examples of dwarfs
and giants amongst British and European butterflies. Twelve species were
shown along with typical examples for comparison. Wing dimensions,
measured using callipers following the definition of Higgins & Riley
(forewing tip to point of attachment of abdomen) are tabulated below.
Note that insects are referred to as dwarfs or giants when the dimensions
fall well outside the typical range given by Higgins & Riley.
Of particular interest is the example of a male Clouded yellow showing
assymetry, with the left-hand side being of typical dimensions and the
right-hand side dwarf.
136
AUGUST 1995
Tabls 1. Natural examples of dv^'arfs and giants amongst European butterflies.
or rtlN
n & rv
1 o
Clouded yellow
Male
27
23-27
Tj.'pical (large]
C crocciis
I^iaie
ni-iii
9'^ 97
Itw - Typical rfw - dwan
Male
21
23-27
Dwarf
Clouded yellou-
Female
26
23-27
Typical
C. croceus
Femiale
1 Q
9"^ 97
an
Clouded yellow
Female
27.5
23-27
Large
C croceus \'ar helics
Female
1 Q
9"^ 97
uv^ an
Orange tip
Male
21
19-24
Typical
A. cardiwines
i^iaie
1 7
1 Q 9^1
\j\K an
Male
17
19-24
Dwarf
Green-\'eined u'hite
i^iaie
Tv'pical
P. napi
Male
20
Dwarf
Small white
Female
9'^ 97
1 ypical
P. rapae
Female
20
23-27
Divan
opecrcled Vv ood
91
1 Q 99
ly-
1 ypical
P. aegeria aegeria
Male
16
19-22
Divan"
ooutnern gatekeeper
remale
1 ^
10
iO- iO
1 ypical
P. Cecilia
Female
20
15-16
Giant
Gatekeeper
iviaie
ly.O
1 ~ 1 Q
Typical i large
P. lithonus
Male
14
17-19
Dwarf
bmall fieath
remale
l-t
H-- ID
Typical
C. pamphilus
Female
20
14-16
Giant
Comma
9^ ^
ZD.O
99-94
Giant
P. c-album
19
22-24
Dwarf
r LJ. i p 1 c c 1 1 1 p t: I u I
Male
37
31-37
Ti rrs 1 {\7\xr\o\
A. ins
Male
29.5
31-3"
Dwarf
Small tortoiseshell
22
22-25
Topical (small 1
.4. umcae
27.5
22-25
Giant
May
18.5
16-19
Typical
A. levana
21.5
16-19
Giant
Key; Span in mm. measured fw tip to attachment to abdomen.
H & R = Higgins. L.R. & Riley. N.D. Butterflies of Britain & Europe. Typical spans.
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
137
Steve Button (7649). Exhibited a few of the more interesting butterflies
collected during 1994; the exhibit showed A. paphia ab. ocellata (Frings.)
from Wiltshire - the only interesting paphia observed in three days of
searching. Boloria selene ab. pallida (Spuler) from Perthshire - selene
was very common this year in the Highlands. Lysandra corridon ab.
tithonus (Meigen) collected on the north Wiltshire Downs in August; 38
eggs were obtained from this specimen but it was eight years ago that he
saw the last one. An unnamed ab. of female L. coridon and also the
lightest and darkest forms seen in Wiltshire this year with a male and
female type for comparison.
Pat Cordall (8782). Local resident and vagrant Macro lepidoptera of a
landfill site within the London area at Nutfield, Surrey.
Histori;
Nutfield lies on a ridge of Lower Greensand, 20 miles south of London,
below the escarpment of the North Downs. The whole area, except close
to the village, has been quarried over the past 40 years for Fullers Earth
and landfill, including domestic waste, which ceased in 1990. The legacy
for the village has been three quarters of a square mile of waste ground
left, at our request, to natural regeneration.
The site
The site falls in a northern direction and incorporates water areas and
dried-up lagoons. There are tracts of improved grassland used for grazing
cattle and sheep, rough uncut grass, mature hedges, recent plantations of
Norway spruce and larch and mature woodland around the perimeter of
the site.
The future
Although the whole site is designated "Green Belt" there have been
applications to develop the area in various ways. There has been one
public inquiry which was won by the village but the owners Laporte
Industries have other options in the pipeline. Hopefully, it will remain
undeveloped and eventually return to the woodland that it was before
quarrying started.
Flora
Although the site appears sandy many plants are typical of the chalk
downs two miles to the north. On the bare earth early arrivals like weld
and thistles have given way to bird's-foot trefoil and perforated St. Johns
wort. The water areas include well-grown tracts of common reed and
bulrush and other wetland plants. All over the area are young trees:
mainly birch, sallow and aspen but also oak, hawthorn, ash, beech, yew.
138
AUGUST 1995
sycamore, lime, maple, alder, willow and poplar, all seeded from the
mature trees around the edge of the site. The woods are becoming very
dense in places and fallen trees are being left to rot, or are cut up and
stacked in piles for winter fuel. A good population of rabbits is preventing
the site becoming too overgrown by long grass and young trees.
Macro lepidoptera
Over the past 39 years, 28 species of butterfly and 467 species of the
larger moths have been recorded. Most records have been from my
garden trap 100 yards from the edge of the area.
Table 2 - Macro lepidoptera from Nutfield. Surrey displayed at Kempton Park.
Orange undeiwing A. parthenias Linn.
Cypress carpet 7. cupressata Gey.
Red-green carpet C. siterata Hufn.
Brussels lace C. lichenaria Hufn.
Ruddy caipet C. rubidata D.&S.
Golden-rod pug E. uirgaureata Doub.
Royal mantle C. cuculata Hufn.
Waved caipet H. sulvata D.&S.
Waved black P. fuliginaha Linn.
Scallop shell R. undulata Linn.
Scarce tissue R. ceruinalis Scop.
Double kidney /. retusa Linn.
Neglected rustic X. castanea Esp.
Pale pinion L. soda Hufn.
Alder kitten F. bicuspis Bork.
Olive /. subtusa Schif.
Dusky sallow E. ochroleuca D.&S.
Green arches A. prasina D.&S.
Bordered sallow P. umbra Hufn.
Dark spectacle A. trigemina Warn.
Resident. Common every year.
Vagrant. 1 record 13.10.90.
Resident. 3 records 2.10.91. 28.10.91. 19.9.92.
Vagrant. 1 record 3.7.94.
Resident. 5 records 11.6.77. 21.6.77. 20.7.89,
4.7.91. 5.7.91.
Resident. 1 larva on Ragwort in August. 1993.
Vagrant. 5 records 20.7.69 (2). 23.7.69. 5.6.81.
25.7.89.
Resident. 4 records 28.6.71. 25.6.90. 20.7.90 (2).
Resident. Recorded every year. Larvae in Birch
log stacks.
Resident. Records every year.
Resident. Regular records. Larvae on Berberis ssp.
Vagrant. 1 record 29.7.93.
Vagrant. 3 records. 23.8.68.. 6.9.77.. 29.8.89.
Resident and increasing.
Resident. Regular recordings.
Resident. Larvae on Aspen.
Resident and increasing. Larvae found.
Resident. Records every year.
Resident and increasing. Larvae found.
Vagrant. 2 records. 25.6.89.. 5.7.91.
Tony Davis (8931). The application stated that the launch of the
Pyralid recording scheme with attendant newsletter would be shown but
no exhibit note was handed in.
J.L. Dyer (2319). The application stated that British macros (N.
janthe/N. janthina) would be shown but no exhibit note was handed in.
Chris Gardiner (5249). Exhibited was a selection from the collection
of the late G.S. Kloet, purchased from a second-hand record shop in
Stockport. Several orders including Hymenoptera. Hemiptera and
Microlepidoptera were shown; they were arranged according to the
taxonomic order in Kloet & Hincks with the labels typed and handwritten
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
139
(in his own hand) or cut from the pages of the K.&H. book. Also shown
were examples of his eclectic approach to collecting and meticulous
setting technique.
M. Gascoign-Pees (7468). Exhibited a case of butterflies collected on
the Italian island of Sardinia between 1st and 15th June 1985. Apart from
one day collecting in the Gennargentu Mountains, most collecting was
carried out in the vicinity of Baia Sardinia. Butterflies seen included
Pseudophilotes barbargiae, Hipparchia ahstaeus sardona, Aglais urticae
ichnusa, Lasiommata megera paramegaera, Maniola nurag,
Coenon\;mpha corinna and Plebejus argus corsicus. Several larvae of
Papilio hospiton were observed and photographed feeding on Ferula
communis in the Gennargentu Mountains.
D. Hall (5239). Exhibited a form of the Large white butterfly found on
the Canary Island of La Palma. This form has been named Pieris
cheiranthi benchoauensis (Pinker 1968). Specimens showed that it is
more lightly marked than the nominate form from Tenerife, with a more
broken dark forewing band. Photographs showed the habitat in the laurel
forests in the north-west of the island and also of the eggs and young
larvae on the foodplant - a large endemic Cruciferae, Crambe
gigantefolia.
A. Halstead (6346). Exhibited two boxes displaying the good and bad
side of beetles. One box contained 23 species of beetle pests likely to be
found in gardens, plus a specimen of the foreign potato pest, the
Colorado beetle (Leptinotarsa decimlineata) . The other box contained
examples of beneficial beetles such as ladybirds, Carabid or ground
beetles and Staphylinid or rove beetles.
James Hereward (9928J). The application stated that South African
Arachnids and scorpions would be shown but no exhibition note was
handed in.
Andrew Hinit (9093). Showed a small exhibit of specimens from
northern Greece collected in April, June and July 1994. Included were
local and rare species such as Pontia chlohdice, Colias balcanica,
Sxjrichtus tessellum, Po!\;ommatus eroides and Heodes ottomanus.
Robin James (5005). Exhibited specimens of Long-tailed blue
butterflies Lampides boeticus Linn. These were bred from larvae found in
the Algarve in April 1994. Subsequent pairings proved to be easy with the
butterflies housed in a 14-inch diameter black netting cage inside a
greenhouse. Eggs were laid on the flowers and leaves of various
leguminous plants but the preferred plant was Colutea arborescens; eggs
were also laid on thistles provided for Painted lady butterflies. The eggs
140
AUGUST 1995
were removed to plastic boxes as they hatched, the larvae were placed
individually inside sugar-snap pea pods through a dorsoventral slit. The
pods were then placed in a propagator at 25 °C. the larvae feeding up in
just over two weeks with a 70% success rate being obtained.
Neil Jones (8037). The application stated that a series of photographs
and computer-processed images demonstrating variation in the Marsh
fritillary and related species: also a series of photographs and newspaper
cuttings illustrating the problems of conservation would be shown. No
exhibit note was handed in.
Mark Johnson (3464J). Exhibited fossil insects from the Pleistocene
(38 million years ago) to the Tertiary period (80,000 years ago). The
exhibit also had a short description of all the insect orders, including
spiders, and how they all evolved.
Gareth King (8585). Exhibited set specimens and live imagines of
Estigmere perotteti (Everin) which were originally identified by the British
Museum (Natural History) as E. nigricans (Mare 1872). Progeny from the
original female; and show remarkable variation with four forms
identified. The exhibit also showed notes on the various larval foodplants
for this Indian Arctiid.
Alex Kolaj (9141). Exhibited variation in moth species which included
the Mottled umber, E. defoHaria: Dotted border, A.marginaria, type and
ab. fuscata; Spring usher, A. leucophaearia; Garden carpet. X. fluctuata;
Northern spinach, E. populata: Scalloped oak, C. elinguaha: Pale tussock.
C. pudibunda, type and ab. obscura; Bulrush wainscot. N. typhae, type
and ab. friaterna: Heart and club, A. clauis: Fenn's wainscot, P.
breuihnea, type and ab. sinelinea and Nut-tree tussock. C. coryli. type
and ab. meianotica. Also shown were moths reared from larvae taken in
and around Aviemore, Scotland, which included the Yellow-ringed
carpet, E. flavicinctata, beaten from saxifrage; Grey mountain carpet. £.
caesiata, beaten from bilberry and Chestnut-coloured carpet. T. cognata,
beaten from juniper. Two migrants from Warwickshire were exhibited,
these were a Hummingbird hawkmoth. M. stellatarum. taken at
Charlecote on 27.8.94 and a Bordered straw, H. peltigera taken at Tile
Hill on 26.8.94. The final two parts of Mr Kolaj's exhibit showed
comparison of a Fisher's estuarine moth, G. borelii and the Frosted
orange. G. flauago: (since the Victorian County History until 1968 borelii
was thought to be a form of flauago): and a comparison of the Dotted
footman. P. muscerda and the Small dotted footman. P. obtusa both
taken on the Norfolk Broads on 24.7.94.
Keith C. Lewis (3680). Showed examples of the longhorn beetle
Arhophalus rusticus, some bred from larvae. This insect was confined to
Scotland about the turn of the last century but with the planting of
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
141
conifers by the Forestry Commission in the 1950s it spread southwards.
Before this time Mr Lewis had only found the odd record from the south
of England and he now needs records of this beetle, especially from
museums.
R.F. McCormick (3375)
New species bred or captured in 1993/94.
0376 Sijnanthedon scohaeformis (Borkh). Welsh clearwing.
Bred from a larva dug out of birch at Loch Rannoch.
0383 Bembecia muscaeformis (Esp.). Thrift clearwing.
Bred from larvae collected at Start Point, Devon.
1774 Colosfygia ohuata (D. & S.). Beech-green carpet.
One caught at Babbacombe, Devon.
1780 Coenocaipe lapidata (Hb.). Slender-striped rufous.
Found commonly, despite the weather, at Trinafour, Tayside. Scotland.
1833 Eupithecia expallidata (Doubl.). Bleached pug.
Caught at light at Holne Chase, Devon, and also seen at Dawlish Warren.
1863 Anticolhx sparsata (Triet.). Dentated pug.
Bred from larvae collected at Farnborough, Hampshire.
1942 Aids jubata (Thunb.). Dotted carpet.
Caught at light at Holne Chase, Devon.
2346 Photedes morrisii (Dale). Morris's wainscot.
Several seen at light at Charmouth, Dorset; none seen on the tall fescue grass.
2478 Hypena obsitalis (Hb.). Bloxworth snout.
Three specimens bred from larvae collected from three different sites; the species now
occurs from Dartmouth through to Watcombe, Devon and is probably colonising new sites
in this area.
Unusual species captured in Devon or near borders.
1323 Pediasia contaminelh (Hb.).
Found commonly on Dawlish Warren.
1399 Dolicharthha punctalis (D. & S.).
One caught at a garden in Teignmouth.
1441 Oncocera semirubelh (Scop.).
One caught at Charmouth, Dorset and probably resident in Devon.
1779 Hxjdriomena ruberata (Freyer). Ruddy highflyer.
One caught in a garden in Teignmouth and another seen at Dawlish Warren.
1781 Horisme uitalbata (D. & S.). Small waved umber.
Several seen at Dawlish Warren, Devon.
2043 Eilema sororcula (Hufn.). Orange footman.
One caught in a garden in Teignmouth, Devon.
2076 Meganola albula (D. & S.). Kent black arches.
Seen commonly at Dawlish Warren, Devon.
2204 Mythimna obsoleta (Hb.). Obscure wainscot.
Found at Exminster Marshes, Devon. Recorded previously in 1973 by Dr B. Henwood at
Colyton, Devon; a new county record as yet unpublished.
2350 Photedes pygmina (Haw.). Small wainscot.
A striated specimen caught at Holne Chase, Devon.
142
AUGUST 1995
2352 Eremobia ochroleuca (D. & S.). Dusky sallow.
A female caught at Dawlish Warren, Devon; a few eggs were laid.
2377 Arenostola phragmitidis (Hb.). Fen wainscot.
A pair taken from several seen at Dawlish Warren, Devon; an earlier specimen was caught
by friends in Teignmouth around the 1980s but was not published.
2391 Chihdes maritimus (Tausch.). Silky wainscot.
Specimens taken from Dawlish Warren and Exminster Marshes, Devon; including an ab.
nigristriata and an ab. bipunctata.
2452 Catocala nupta (Linn.). Red underwing.
One specimen caught at Dawlish Warren, Devon.
2418 Earias clorana Cream-bordered green pea.
Found commonly at Dawlish Warren and found at other localities in south Devon; odd
records have also been noted from Cornwall.
The poor number of migrants that came to my garden in Teignmouth, Devon.
1395 Udeafenugalis (Hb.).
Several seen throughout the year and are still appearing.
1398 Nomophila noctuella (D. & S.). Rush veneer.
A common species which started to appear from June.
1716 Rhodometra sacmria (Linn.). Vestal.
A singleton to my trap but they have been common on Dawlish Warren.
2385 Spodoptera exigua (Hb.). Small mottled willow.
A pair taken from several seen throughout the area.
2403 Heliothis peltigera (D. & S.). Bordered straw.
The best one of two that came to my garden trap.
2441 Autographa gamma (Linn.). Silver Y.
An ab. gamma and a normal specimen that was taken in March this year.
Species, in the main, bred this year from various localities.
1764 Chhrocl\;sta truncata (Hufn.). Common marbled carpet.
Bred from larvae swept at Feshiebridge, Scotland.
1777 Uydriomena furcata (Thunb.). July highflyer.
Bred from larvae swept at Feshiebridge, Scotland.
1921 CrocalHs elinguaria (Linn.). Scalloped oak.
An ab. unicolor bred from a larva swept at Feshiebridge, Scotland.
2010 Odontosia carmelita (Esp.). Scarce prominent.
A Scottish dark form of this species caught at light at Feshiebridge, Scotland.
2132 Xestia castanea (Esp.). Neglected rustic.
A pair of dark red specimens bred from larvae swept at Mooremore, Aviemore, Scotland.
2181 Egira conspicillaris (Linn.). Silver cloud.
Part of a series of typical specimens bred from a female caught at light at Kynaston.
Hereford; kindly bred for me by Dennis O'Keefe.
The extensive variety oi Agrotis puta and A. clavis found in south Devon.
2092 Agrotis puta (Hb.) ssp. puta (Hb.). Shuttle-shaped dart.
I have tried to name the various forms from Tutt's The British Noctuae and their varieties
and as far as 1 can tell the red forms, which are predominant, are called "erythroxylea"
and the rest of the forms correspond to the position in the row; 4th = radius, 5th &
7th = lignosa and 9th = radiola. A pair of south-east specimens were included for
comparison.
2088 Agrofc~c/auis (Hufn.). Heart and club.
Some of the obscure forms of Agrotis clauis. mostly from my garden in Teignmouth.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
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Adam Muncer (1006J). The application stated that a giant snail, orchid
mantis and whip scorpion would be shown but no exhibit note was
handed in.
J.W. Ogilvie. Exhibited the Monarch or Milkweed butterfly. He had
trouble with the Customs when he tried to get a larva of this species into
England from Canada but after it had been examined by them he was
allowed to keep it. After this larva had eaten all the Milkweed leaves, Mr
Ogilvie obtained a plant of Asciepias incarnata from his local gardening
centre; the larva took to the new leaves and then pupated. He put the
pupa into the refrigerator while he awaited further stock from Worldwide
Butterflies; these came as larvae which took to the plant of Asciepias
incarnata but the leaves of this turned yellow in the autumn; he tried to
get further supplies of Milkweed from Canada but on arrival these were
damaged so he tried his larvae on chopped stems and leaves from these
plants. All but one had pupated by this time. On 6.10.94 the first pupa
hatched, the cooled-down one emerging as a perfect female on 7.10.94.
The exhibit showed one larva, two pupae and eight butterflies; he is
hoping that the stock will survive hibernation.
David Oram (7127) along with Rebecca (aged 10) and Richard (aged 14).
Exhibited some butterflies and moths caught while on holiday on Sanibel
Island, Florida, USA during August 1987 to 1988. Species exhibited
were: Gulf fritillary, Agraulis uanillae; Zebra longwing, Heliconius
charitonius; White peacock, Anartia jatrophae; Cassius blue, Leptotes
cassias; Mangrove skipper, Phocides pigmalion; Dwarf yellow, Nathalis
iole; Orange sulphur, Colias eurytheame; Orange giant sulphur, Phoebis
agarithe and an unidentifled hawkmoth.
J.H. Payne (9002J). Stated on his application that Arachnida would be
shown but did not hand in an exhibit report.
Joe Parker. Exhibited examples of temperature experiments with
butterflies. Species shown were ab. semiicchrusoides the Small
tortoiseshell and the Silver-washed fritillary ab. ocellata and ab. valesina.
Joe Rogers. Exhibited three spiders and one scorpion. The spiders
shown were Chili rose, Grammastola cala; a medium-sized tarantula with
beautiful brown hairs; this spider is docile and his female is about five or
six years old. Red rump, Brachypelma vagas; a rich velvety black spider
with rusty red hairs on its abdomen; when adult, females exceed 60mm
in length. Salmon-pink bird eater, Lasiodom parahyhana; this is a species
second in size to the largest of all Theraphoside spiders - Theraphosa
leblondi.
144
AUGUST 1995
The scorpion was an Emperor, Panthrobetius impurtus: Joe's is an
adult male which has been mated once. Some scoipions have the ability
to change colour in ultra-violet light. Also shown was a cross-bred rat
snake, everglade yellow, which feeds on mice.
P.J.C. Russell (8977). A case of butterflies from the Canary Islands of
Tenerife and La Palma was shown. Gonepteryx cleopatra cleohule and
G.c. palmae, endemic to Tenerife and La Palma respectively were
compared, as were the two Large whites, Pieris cheiranthi cheimnthi and
P. cheiranthi benchoauensis which are similarly endemic. Some species
which are restricted to the Canaries, Thymelicus christi, Cyclyrius
webbianus and Pararge xiphioides were included with some endemic
subspecies such as Maniola jurtina fortunata and Euchloe belemia
hespehdium.
Two cases of butterflies from the south-eastern Aegean islands of Simi.
Rhodes and Karpathos were shown. The display included examples of
Gonepteryx cleopatra fiorii, Hipparchia syriaca ghigii (the two subspecies
endemic to Rhodes) and Hipparchia christenseni, which is endemic to
Karpathos. Some examples of Allancastria cerisyi demonstrated the
different morphs found on Rhodes, the form martini having the normal
red spots replaced by yellow spots on both upper and lower surfaces of
the wings. Other species of interest were Carcharodus stauderi anibiguus,
Maniola telmessia, Pseudochazara anthelea anthelea and Plebejus loewii
all of which are at the western limits of their Middle-Eastern dist-ibution in
the Aegean islands. Some large Papilio niachaon syriacus reared from
ova taken on Karpathos, Charaxes jasius from ova taken on Rhodes and
Lampides boeticus from larvae taken on Rhodes were included in the
display.
John Slosgett (9638) & Michael Majerus (4027). The exhibit
concentrated on the Scarce 7-spot ladybird. Coccinella magnifica
(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). This shows an unusual habit preference: this
7-spot ladybird can only be found in the immediate vicinity of the nests of
wood ants, Formica rufa. Other species of ladybird, including the closely-
related 7-spot, C. septempunctata, are attacked by these ants if they stray
close to the nests. Scarce 7-spots are not molested by the ants, which
ignore them. The exhibit considered the reasons why these ladybirds
choose this lifestyle and how they are adapted to it. The display rounded
off with a request for information on the Scarce 7-spot and other
Coccinella ladybird species and went on to ask for samples of all ladybird
species from around the world for research. The exhibitors also wanted
information and samples of Brimstone {Gonepteryx spp.) and Clouded
yellow {Colias spp.) butterfly species for other work being carried out.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
145
St Ivo School Entomological & Natural History Society. The
usual engaging menagerie exliibited by this enthusiastic group. All things
furry, scaly and slimy were shown with great keeness by the juvenile
Homo sapiens present.
Bernard Skinner. On display were:
Micro-lepidoptera
Udea fulualis (Hiibner): Three bred specimens ex-female Highcliffe, Hampshire, July 1993
together with photographs illustrating life history.
Salebriopsis albicilla (Herrich-Schaffer): Caught male specimens from Welshbury Hill,
Gloucestershire, June 1994 together with photographs illustrating life history.
Melissoblaptes zelleri (de Joannis): Male with discal spots united, Greatstone, Kent, 14.7.94.
Homoeosoma sinuella (Fabricius): Male with banding on forewing. Stoke Saltings, Kent,
24.7.94.
Acrobasis repandana (Fabricius): Melanistic male, Hamstreet, Kent, 13.7.94.
Sciota adelphella (Fischer von Roslerstamm): Short series bred from south-east Kent.
Schoenobius gigantella (Denis & Schiffermuller): Melanistic male, Stoke Saltings, 24.7.94.
Perinephela hnceahs (Denis & Schiffermuller): Albino male, Hamstreet, 13.7.94.
Macro-lepidoptera
Pelosia obtusa (Herrich-Schaffer): Two males and two females, Catfield, Norfolk. July 1994.
Hophdrina alsines (Brahm): Albino male, Dungeness, Kent, 8.7.94.
Nola aerugula (Hiibner): Male from Greatstone, Kent, 12.7.94 (fifteenth Kentish record this
century).
Agrotis crassa (Hiibner): Portland Bird Observatory, Dorset, 4.8.94 (sixth English record this
century).
Paul Sokoloff. Exhibited a photograph of an unusual aberration of the
Red admiral, Vanessa atalanta (L.). The butterfly was characterised by
bright orange suffusion from the fore- and hind-wing bands, covering the
basal areas of all wings, and extending to the thorax and abdomen. The
coloration resembled that of ab. eos (Fritsch), but was much more
extensive. The marginal white spots on the fore- and hind-wings were
also much enlarged.
The insect was photograhed at Hinksey Top, Oxfordshire on 27th
August 1994.
Peter Tebbutt (7941). A selection of aberrations taken or reared during 1994.
The more major aberrations consisted of several melanic specimens and
these were: Duke of Burgundy fritillary, Hemearis lucina ab. semibrunnea
(Osthelder), an almost black male Large skipper Ochlodes venata ab.
fuscus (Frohawk), and three White admirals, Ladoga Camilla, two female
ab. obliterae (Robson & Gardner) (one very extreme) and a small male
nigrina (Weymer). I had been hoping to take these for over eight years
and took the first two within one and a half hours of each other, the third
being taken three days later.
146
AUGUST 1995
Several female Silver-studded blues, Plebejus argus argus, were shown
with varying amounts of blue scaling similar to the extinct race masse\;i.
The best of these had no trace of any lunules, almost the whole of the
hindwings and base of the forewings distinctly blue, and a series of four
black spots around the discoidal spot on the upperside forewings - a really
striking specimen.
Also exhibited was a female Clouded yellow, Colias croceus ab. nov.
This had a large teardrop - shaped discoidal spot on each hindwing with
the forewing black bands devoid of any spotting but dusted with yellow
scales.
A very unusual Brown argus. Aricia agestis, had a reduced number of
underside spots and those that remained were drawn inwards to form an
arc around the discoidal spot, ab. obsoleta (Tutt) + ab. glomerata (Tutt).
A male Essex skipper, Thxjmelicus lineola 3b. antiardens (Lempke) with
the blackish marking replaced by pale brownish and believed to be an
albino form was also shown together with several minor aberrations of
the Large heath. Small heath, Chalkhill blue and Orange tip.
A single moth was included. This was a smoky Garden tiger, Arctia caja
ab. fumosa (Horhammer), and this was the last to emerge from only five
larvae that were reared, the other four having already produced typical-
looking specimens.
W.J. Tennant (7756). The genus Plebejus (Kluk) in north-west Africa.
Eleven pairs each of the these three described forms of Plebejus martini
and of the closely related P. allardi. all endemic to north-west Africa, were
shown to illustrate external differences: P. martini martini (Allard), flies in
several areas in Algeria, from the Djurdjura Massif to the Aures
mountains: P. martini ungemachi (Rothschild), flies in the Moroccan High
Atlas and Middle mountains: P. martini regularis (Tennent), flies in the
Moroccan Rif mountains: P. allardi (Oberthiir), flies, without significant
variation, from the Anti-Atlas mountains in the south-west of Morocco,
through Algeria, to eastern Tunisia and western Libya. All forms are
restricted but may be locally common.
Raymond Thompson (9301). This exhibitor, along with Kay Medlock,
again produced an excellent exhibit promoting the British Dragonfly
Society. Five panels of very large colour photographs taken by Kay
Medlock were the highlight of the stand. Running at the same time was a
continuous slide show of British and European species: some exciting
video films of dragonflies, butterflies and other insects taken by Ray
Thompson were enjoyed by the many people who came to the stand.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
147
Paul Waring (4220). Some interesting moths from the Palava
landscape area in the Czech Republic, 4th-9th September 1994.
Rhodostrophia uibicaha (Clerck) - a central and southern European
geometrid, the larvae of which are reported to feed on broom C\;tisus
scoparius and sloe Prunus spinosa. This individual came to m.v. light on
the edge of riverine woodland just north of Lednice on 5th September
and was the only one we saw.
Catacli;sme riguata (Hiibner) - Associated with warm, dry, open habitats
where the larvae feed on various members of the Rubiaceae (bedstraws).
Known to be well established on the Palava Hills just west of Lednice,
where this singleton came to our m.v. light among the limestone stacks on
4th September.
Therapis (Epione) flauicaria (D. & S.) - A geometrid of south-eastern
Europe, where the larvae feed on white dead-nettle Lamium album. This
individual came to m.v. light on the edge of riverine woodland just north
of Lednice on 9th September and was the only one we saw.
Artiora euon\;imaha (D. & S.) - Regarded as a local species, known from
parts of Germany, Austria and Hungary but not apparently from France,
Belgium or Corsica, the larvae feeding on spindle-tree Euonijmus
europaeus. Well established on the Palava Hills just west of Lednice,
where several came to our m.v. lights and others were seen at rest on the
larval foodplant on 4th September.
Chersotis margaritacea (de Villers) - A noctuid moth of south-central and
eastern Europe, the larvae feeding in flowers of hawkweeds Hieracium
spp. Several came to our lights on the Palava Hills on 4th September.
Agrochola nitida (Scop.) - Formerly resident in the Breckland of East
Anglia but no evidence of breeding since 1960. Widespread in warm dry
habitats in Europe, the larvae feeding on field bindweed Convolvulus
arvensis. An abundant species in the Palava Hills. This one came to light
there on 4th September.
A paper containing further details of the visit to the Czech Republic can
be read in Bulletin 54 (399): 66-76.
National Moth Conservation Project with Butterfly
Conservation and Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
A display of photographs showing different aspects of the project, including
survey and monitoring of the rarer British species, captive breeding of
endangered species for ecological and behavioural observations to help
with field work, and for established trials. Also shown were the new
generation of national distribution maps with 1980 onwards as the most
recent of date class, and a map of Britain showing the approximate
location of a selection of target species which require urgent work.
148
AUGUST 1995
David Young (5547)
Macro-lepidoptera:
Lymantha dispar (Linn.) Gypsy moth.
New Forest 5.8.94. Probable migrant specimen recorded on the same night as several
specimens of Nomophilia noctuella, Rhodometra sacraria and other com.mon migrant
species.
Dr\;monia ruficornis (Hufn.) Lunar marbled brown.
Ladycross, New Forest, Hampshire 25.4.93 m.v. light.
Area between ante- and postmedian lines whitish yellow as illustrated in MBGBI 9: plate
4:4.
Sesia apiformis (Clerck) Hornet clearwing.
Boxed from trunk of black poplar at Reading around 7.15 to 7.30am 27.6 to L7.94.
Hydraecia osseola hucherardi (Mabille) Marsh mallow moth.
Kent 7.9.94, reasonably common at m.v. or sitting on foodplant.
Catocala promissa (D. & S.) Light crimson underwing.
Repeated visits to favoured localities over the past two years suggest that both sponsa and
promissa are at a low ebb at the moment. Some of the mature oaks in these localities are
thought to be suffering from the effects of "acid rain" which is unlikely to be helpful to
either species.
Agrotis ripae (Hiibn.) Sand dart.
Short series bred from larvae collected at Wittering, West Sussex and raised on
Sainsbury's finest carrots.
Gort\jna borelii lunata (Freyer) Fisher's estuarine moth.
From the usual Essex locality where it was reasonably common in October 1993.
Heliothis uihplaca Marbled clover.
Tilshead, Wiltshire 2.8.94 m.v. probably breeding in this area.
PoHa bomb\jcina (Hufn.) Pale shining brown.
Tilshead, Wiltshire. Common at m.v. light, June 1993.
Senta flammea (Curtis) Flame wainscot.
Cambridgeshire. Fairly common at m.v. light, June 1994.
Cabera pusaha (Linn.) Common white wave.
Aberration. Wales, July 1994.
Abraxas s[;luata (Scop.) Clouded magpie.
Fairly common at m.v. light, Wales, July 1994.
Micro-lepidoptera
Elophila nymphaeata (Linn.) Brown china-mark.
A heavily-suffused specimen from the New Forest. 21.8.94. m.v. light.
Aglossa pinguinahs (Linn.) Large tabby.
Boxed from the walls of a Royal Artillery bunker on the Great Orme. North Wales. The
moth seems to breed well on rabbit dung.
The compiler of these notes is not responsible for claims made by the
exhibitors; however an effort has been made to be as accurate as
possible.
Roy McCormick (3375)
AUGUST 1995
COLOUR SECTION
COLOUR SECTION AUGUST 1995
AUGUST 1995
COLOUR SECTION
COLOUR SECTION
AUGUST 1995
PLATE 95P
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
149
A FURTHER STUDY OF THE ODONATA OF MILTON
COUNTRY PARK (SOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE)
by D.F. Madin (10023)
32 Kinross Road. Chesterton. Camhric/oe CB4 IQY.
An earlier report (Madin, 1994) was the result of incidental observations
made during a comprehensive survey of the birds of the park. As
anticipated in that paper, a more detailed study of the Odonata has
increased the number of recorded species to 16 which is probably close to
the maximum number to be expected at this site.
Study Area
The park is on the site of former gravel pits, in total about 35 ha. with two
main lakes, the larger (Dickerscn's Lake) being about 8 ha, with a well
indented shore-line and a gently shelving bottom. The other pool (Todd's
Lake; about 6 ha.) is rectangular, steeper-sided and rather deeper.
Between the two is a small shallow pond and there is a fourth water area,
where succession is well advanced, being mainly reed and willow scrub.
During preparatory landscaping work in 1991-92 the amount of shallow
water on both of the larger lakes was increased and some planting of
emergent vegetation took place. For coarse fishing on the main lakes 47
platforms were constructed with a further four round the central pond to
make them accessible for pond dipping by school groups. In addition, a
public drain running across the full width of the park divides it into a
northern section of two-thirds of the total area which includes most of the
water and a drier southern section. Flow rate in this drain is directly
proportional to recent rainfall. The wetland section of the park is
completed by a seasonal pool which, being dry from late spring until mid-
autumn, does not have a direct effect on Odonata ecology. Some
grassland is mown as an amenity area while the remainder is not cut until
the end of the summer.
Methods
Larvae were collected by pond dipping and exuviae (Plate 95P, Fig. 14)
from emergent vegetation, while for adults identification was mainly by
8x20 close focus-monocular, with netting (followed by release) to allow
closer examination if necessary. At times a x8 hand lens was used at this
stage while for larvae and exuviae microscopic examination was often
necessary. Keys in Hammond (1983) and McGeeney (1986) were used to
confirm identification.
150
AUGUST 1995
last updated 4.07.94
Fig. 1. Milton Country Park.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
151
Accurate counts of species populations were not attempted, but
estimates were made using the scale of the Cambridgeshire Dragonfly
Survey (Perrin & Johnson) as shown in table 2.
The Odonata recorded fell into three groups, the first with a high
number of individuals or confirmed breeding, the second in lesser
numbers where breeding was not confirmed though there is suitable
habitat on the site and the third group occurring in very low numbers and
no optimum habitat with the park.
The variants infuscans and rufescens female Ischnura elegans were
both recorded in small numbers.
Results
Table 1. Species recorded in the park.
Breeding confirmed
Ischnura elegans
Enallagma cyathigemm
Er\;thron]ma najas
Coenagrion puella
Pyrrhosoma n\jmphula
Aeshna cyanea
Aeshna grandis
Orthetrum cancellatun]
Libellula depressa
Sympetrunn striolatum
Possible Breeding
Brachytron pratense
Aeshna mixta
Anax imperator
Libellula quadrimaculata
Probable Visitor
Calopteryx splendens
testes sponsa
^The two species shown as "Probable visitor" both occur in field drains and the nearby river,
as does Sympetrum sanguineum which is. therefore, a strong contender for future inclusion
in the park list.
Table 2. Estimated populations.
Species
Scale^
Cambs^
%
Species
Scale*^
Cambs'^
%
Ischnura elegans
E
73
Aeshna cyanea
C
29
Enallagma cyathigerum
E
62
Aeshna grandis
D
48
Erythromma najas
D
30
Orthetrum cancellatum
D
33
Coenagrion puella
E
37
Libellula depressa
B
8
Pyrrhosoma nymphula
D
9
Sympetrum striolatum
E
61
^Scale: A = 1 only seen: B = 2-9: C = 10-29: D= 30-99: E = 100 or more.
^Cambs %: Fron^ Perrin, V. and Johnson. I. (in press). Number of tetrads in which the
species was found, expressed as a percentage of 275 tetrads surveyed.
152
AUGUST 1995
pH values
The confirmed breeders are all species showing a preference for alkaline
waters, while of the "possibles" Bmchytron pratense is found in neutral to
acid habitats. In the case of Libellula quadrimaculata, the British
Dragonfly Society list it under non-acid, while Gibbons (1994) gives it as
acidophilic. In view of these associations, pH value was checked at a
number of points on the two main lakes, the central pond and the public
drain, using a meter with a sensitivity of 0.01 pH.
Table 3. pH values.
Dickerson's
Aug Nov
Todd's
Aug Nov
Drain
Aug Nov
Pond
Aug Nov
Number of reading points
10
7
4^ 5
1
Mean pH
8.6 7.08
8.07 7.10
7.68 6.99
8.03 6.96
S.D.
0.38 0.04
0.47 0.12
0.12 0.20
At one position in August the drain was dry: water temperature 20 °C.
November water temperature 11 X.
All summer readings were above 7.0. Although both lakes showed
variation at different points, the readings for Todd's were within 1 S.D. of
the mean while those on Dickerson's were within 2 S.D. The only species
showing close association with pH value was Orthetrum cancellatum
which occurred in areas with the highest levels (8.8-9.1) but this area also
had a firm, gravel bottom with abundant floating and emergent
vegetation. On the bank at this point are a path and areas of bare earth
and it is these factors which were the probable reason for the distribution
of this species. As would be expected, after rain and wind the late
autumn values were much more uniform throughout the study area. The
photosynthesis of weed beds, algae and slimes on the substrate would
account for the differential between the summer and autumn values
(Jefferies, M. and Mills. D., 1990).
Habitat preferences
Like all insects Odonata require some warmth before they can become
active and this was provided by the paths, fences, long grasses and other
plants throughout the park. Ischnura elegans and Enallagma c\jathigerum
made some use of the paths and bridge railings, but in general preferred
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
153
close proximity to water and emergent vegetation. Within two clumps of
nettles, Urtica dioica, the surface temperature of leaves was 5-8 °C above
ambient at 09.00 hrs, these sites being especially favoured by Coenagrion
puella in early spring. Aeshna grandis favoured fences and vegetation, a
notable feature being that where woodwork had been treated with
preservative to give a brown coloration, A. grandis appeared to have a
marked preference for these sections. At a different site (Roswell Pits, Ely),
a four metre section of treated fencing held 17 A. grandis at 09.30 hrs on
a fairly dull morning. More records are needed as this treatment was
carried out on new or repaired fencing, the work involving cutting back of
vegetation and therefore greater exposure to sunlight. S[;mpetrum
striolatum also used fences (though not showing any colour preference)
and vegetation, often long grasses, whilst Orthetrum cancellatum showed
a strong tendency to use paths and bare earth. In mid-afternoon in
summer an ambient temperature of 30°C resulted in a surface
temperature of 43°C on the gravel of the footpaths and fishing platforms,
but at this level most insects were seeking cooler positions.
As the insects reached maturity, the Zygoptera and O. cancellatunn
continued to remain near water; A. grandis was frequently seen over
hedges, long grasses and an adjoining wheat field, while S. striolatum
also favoured long grass as a feeding habitat.
Predation
Fishing in the lakes is managed by the Histon Angling Society with the
park rangers as bailiffs and is operated on a "catch and return" basis with
no (official) re-stocking. Under these conditions, it has been shown in the
Lake District that a balance is achieved, resulting in a stable Odonata
population (Fryer, G. 1991). Fish in the lakes are mainly pike and
Cyprinids while other principal predators would be larger dragonflies
preying on immature animals.
For adults, birds are the main enemies and it was observed that the two
areas of nettle noted above were close to high concentrations of nesting
insectivorous warblers. Towards the end of the flight period numbers of
C. puella fell much more rapidly here than in other areas of the park.
Spider webs trapped several individuals on most days, the majority
being Zygoptera. Little interaction was seen between dragonfly species,
apart from the 13th public drain, where there were several encounters
between A. grandis and S. striolatum, but these appeared to be territorial
rather than predatory.
154
AUGUST 1995
Management
It was fortunate that the method of mineral extraction between the late
1930s and 1960 was such that there were extensive areas of shallow
water where a muddy substrate has developed in the intervening years.
Natural succession and selective planting has extended areas of reed
{Phragmites austrahs) and would encourage S. sanguineum. The regime
of leaving grasses and other plants uncut until the end of the summer
provided sunning perches for the dragonflies and optimal habitat for their
prey species. The public drain is cleared annually to maintain an
unobstructed water flow.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Malcolm Bushby. the head ranger, for permission to
carry out netting and pond dipping and for his interest in the survey.
REFERENCES
British Dragonfly Society, undated. Managing Habitat for Dragonflies.
Fryer. G. (1991). A Natural Histor^j of the Lakes. Tarns and Streams of the English Lake
District. Freshwater Biological Association.
Gibbons. B. (1994). Dragonflies and Damselflies of Britain and Northern Europe. Hamlyn.
Hammond. CO. (1983). The Dragonflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Harley Books.
Jefferies. M. & Mills. D. (1990). Freshwater Ecology . Belhaven Press.
Madin. D.F. (1994). Bulletin oftheA.E.S. 53.
McGeeney. A. (1986). A complete guide to British Dragonflies. Jonathan Cape.
Perrin, V. & Johnson. 1. (in press). Cambridgeshire Dragonflies. The Cambs. Dragonfly;
suruex; 1991-93. Nature in Cambridgeshire.
AN OBSERVATION OF PREPONA DEXAMENUS (HOPFFER)
b\;JA.D. Smith (5438)
Leas View. Epsom Road. West Horsier,'. Leatherhead. Surrei,' KT24 GAP.
On my latest visit to Costa Rica in January 1995. residing at Hacienda
Solimar in the south of Guanacaste Province, near to the Palo Verde
Biological Station, I saw a specimen of this butterfly alight on a tree and
was able to photograph it. This species is easily identified on account of
its small size for the genus Prepona and the sti-aight line interface between
the basal and distal halves of the wings on the underside.
De Vries states in his excellent book The Butterflies of Costa Rica that it
has not been recorded in that country although it does occur in Panama
in lowland rain forest on the Atlantic slope. This sighting was in the north,
quite near to Nicaragua, on the Pacific side, where the climate is quite
different, and in the dry forest in the dry season. Little seems to be known
of this pretty species although the genus is much prized by collectors,
neither has the foodplant been documented.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
155
THE USE OF SILICA GEL FOR DRYING INSECTS IN THE
TROPICS
by Phil Bragg (8737)
51 Longfield Lane. Ilkeston. Derbijshire DE7 4DX.
Although my main interest lies with Phasmids. 1 do occasionally collect
other material for people working on other insect groups. 1 received a
letter from an acquaintance in Australia to whom 1 had sent some cicadas
which I collected in Borneo. 1 was particularly pleased to read "Your
specimens had retained excellent colour, especially the green ones which
usually reach me yellow or even dark brown, so whatever you did looking
after them was extra good." In case anyone else is interested in how to
retain green coloration when collecting insects in the tropics either for
themselves or for others, the following may be helpful.
Basically I kill the insects, paper them, and put them in a box of silica
gel to dehydrate them. The specimens I have collected in this manner
have included cicadas, dragonflies, cockroaches, mantid and bush
crickets.
Specimens are killed by being placed in a plastic bag, and dropping a
small piece of cotton wool or tissue paper which has been soaked in ethyl
ethanoate (= ethyl acetate) into the bag. Alternatively, with large insects,
they are injected with a small quantity (eg 0.2cm") of 40% formalin;
injection into the thorax is most effective. If ethyl ethanoate is used it is
vital to remove the insect as soon as possible as it destroys green
coloration very quickly. Formalin kills instantly and does not affect the
colour, however, it does make it very difficult to relax the insect for
setting.
The dead specimens are placed in paper packets, with data written on
the packets. The packets are closed and put into an air-tight plastic box,
21cm X 15cm x 10cm, containing 200g of dehydrated silica gel. The gel
contains cobalt chloride indicator and I dehydrate the gel as soon as it
begins to change colour. How often dehydration of the gel is necessary
depends upon the number and sizes of the insects collected. It may be
sufficient to do it every few days, or it may be necessary to do it two or
even three times per day. Dehydration is easily done by heating the gel in
a small pan on a cooking stove. If (as I often am), you are camping or
self-catering, it is easy to get in to the habit of dehydrating the gel while
waiting for your coffee to cool to a drinkable temperature; by the time
you finish washing up, the gel has cooled enough to be put back into the
156
AUGUST 1995
box. Tipping the gel cmo the lop of the packets means Lhai some finds iis
way to ihe bottom of the box. and some is in close contact with all the
specimens.
Once you are sure the specimens are totally dry they can be removed
from the box and placed in an airtight container ieg plastic bag'. If you
are collecting on a continual basis ii is bes: :o ha\ e r.vo or -Jr.ree boxes to
ensure that the older material has time to dn^' completely.
I should point out that I have only used the above method for
peripheral maierial. not the n^.aieriai I ar::^- pariiculariy interested in
collecting. Anyone intending to collect their main interest group (sj in this
manner should beai- this in mind: if 1 collected Orthoptera seriously. I
would need perhaps as many as eight or ten such boxes to deal with the
quantiti.' collected. You can fill a box with specim.ens if they are in vanning
states of dehydration: it would be unwise, ho'vvever. to fill a box with fresh
material as it would be unlikely to dry fas: enough to prevent som.e
rotting. 1 only rarely use this method for phasmids (usually I eviscerate,
stuff with cotton wool, and set them immediately) because they tend to be
very large, and are too fragile to be papered successfully.
A FURTHER NOTE ON SWALLOWTAIL LARVAE EATING
GROUND ELDER
by Leigh Plester {2968}
L was interested to read Trevor Sampson's note {Bulletin 53: 204)
concerning P. machaon larvae feeding on ground elder {Aegopodium
podagraria). During the 1970-1 980s. when I used to breed fairly large
numbers of the species at a time in Finland. I fed the lar\'ae almost
exclusively on ground elder growing profusely between my "garden" and
a small birch wood. Ground elder tends to keep rather well in water, often
up to a week, whereas both wild angelica {Angelica sylvestris) and milk
pai'sley {Peucedanuni palustre) wilt rapidly when cut. 1 once saw a female
deposit an egg on some ground elder in my garden and also found a
couple of lan.-ae in another year, but locally the species seems to prefer
angelica and milk parsley, possibly due to the fact that ground elder likes
the shade and the butterflies normally lay their eggs on plants in sunny
situations (especially where they overhang pools and ditches i.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
157
Book Review
Danmarks Svirrefluer by Ernst Torp. Large 8vo (24x1 7cm), 490pp of
which 21 coloured, 482 figures, 270 distribution maps. Danmarks Dyreliv
Vol. 6. Apollo Books, Kirkeby Sand 19. DK-5771 Stenstrup. Denmark,
1994. Price DKK 300.00 (c. £35 plus postage).
Coming shortly after the new edition of British Hoverflies by Stubbs &
Falk, this book forms an extremely useful complementary volume to all
those interested in this group of Diptera.
Although this is a Danish book and written in that language, after each
species description there is a brief summary in English and the majority of
the figures also have English captions. Those that do not are easy to
understand, however. It is unfortunate that the keys are entirely in Danish
as this is going to make their use limited to those who take the time and
trouble to familiarise themselves with perhaps the 200 Danish words
necessary to work through them. The many illustrative figures in this
section are of course an immense help in following them through.
The distribution maps are printed on a large scale, half a page to each.
Under each species there are separate headings, describing in turn its
characteristics, distribution (worldwide, not just in Denmark), biotope
preferred, flight-period, flowers it prefers to visit, biology of the larva
(where known), then the English summary.
An interesting comparison with the English hoverfly book is in the
presentation of the illustrations which in the English book have the wings
(where these are shown - often only the body is shown) set rigidly at
right-angles to the body wheras in the Danish one they are swept back,
delta fashion. Perhaps one result of these colour photographs is that they
show how markedly similar so many species are to one another and how
essential, therefore, keys are to run down the true identity. Nine of the
colour plates are, however, devoted to rather fine photographs of the
living insects.
This book more than complements Stubbs & Falk, for it gives far more
useful biological information on each species, including the larval stages
where known; and, in a number of instances I directly compared, the
flight period in Denmark was longer than that given for England -
interesting perhaps in view of Denmark's more northerly latitude.
There is a checklist and I was surprised to find that all Danish hoverflies
have colloquial names (red fire hoverfly, sea dune fly). There is an
extensive bibliography and glossary, followed by the index.
158
AUGUST 1995
Denmark has aboui ihe same number (270) of species as we do. Many
are common lo both countries and in view of the uncertainty over the
identity of some hoverflies and the almost certainty of more species being
eventually recorded, a consultation of both the English and the Danish
books makes good sense.
Brian O.C. Gardiner
WAS 1994 A GREAT CLOUDED YELLOW YEAR?
bi; AD. Dillon
56 Oban Road. Southend-on-Sea. Essex SS2 4JL.
I wonder if 1994 will go down as another great Clouded yellow year? I
ask the question because on the 28th August I once again came across
this rather rare migrant in a small field adjacent to Southend Airport, in
south-east Essex.
I had spent only fifteen minutes recording the various butterfly species
present, when I noticed a yellowish butterfly in the distance, flying close
to the ground. As I suspected it might be a Clouded yellow, it was with
some excitement that I went off in pursuit, and with little difficulty
succeeded in netting the insect which proved to be a female, although in
poor condition.
The insect must have been attracted to the large quantities of lucerne
and clover growing in the field, as this is rather a rare habitat in this area.
However. I am pleased to say that this is the second time I have recorded
the species at this locality, the last occasion being in 1983. which some
authors e.g. Thomas & Lewington. Butterflies of Britain & Ireland. 1991)
claim to be a ver^- good year for the Clouded yellow in this country.
After some thought I decided to ny and breed from the captive insect.
As I had no supplies of clover or lucerne at home. I decided to leave the
specimen on-site, enclosing it with a growing clover plant under a
cylindrical, plastic cage. The cage was placed at the edge of the field and
a honey-pad was placed on the muslin roof as a nectar source.
Unfortunately, when the site was visited some time later the cage had
disappeared and the butterfly had escaped. Although the enclosed plant
was searched for eggs, regrettably none were found.
As this locality seems particularly attractive to the Clouded yellow
within my immediate area. 1 now intend to visit the locality even^' August
and September, in the hope of making further sightings of this rare and
beautiful migrant.
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
159
THE SEARCH FOR CRENATA - THE DUSKY-MARBLED
BROWN
by DrP.J. Edwards (6871)
Haddenham Low House, Oxford Road. Dinton. Berkshire HPl 7 8TT.
For many years, I have run a moth-trap in the Aylesbury area which is
not far from Halton. All this time I have been haunted by the quote from
South and many others, that Parson Greene beat a larva of Gluphisia
crenata "from a poplar near Halton" in 1853. They then go on to say that
previously Henry Doubleday took two females of this moth in Ongar Park
Woods in 1839 and 1841. So the Halton moth was the last of these
rather drab little Notodonts to have been seen in England. This must
make it one of our rarest native moths.
In the Entomological section of the Victoria County History of 1905,
Parson Greene's capture is recorded in detail. On the 18th August 1853
he beat a larva out of black poplar "between Halton and Weston
Turville". The two villages are about a mile apart separated by a flat
damp area, ideal for black poplar.
He realised that his larva was out of the ordinary and it pupated the
next day. He consulted some friends in the Entomological Society of
London, and found his larva in Hiibner's book of European moths. His
friend expressed doubt. He took the pupa with him to Dublin where he
spent the winter, where it hatched in a greenhouse in March 1854. In
April of that year it was shown at the Entomological Exhibition in London
where it was commented on by most of the journals of the time. H.T.
Stainton reports it in detail in his Entomological Annual for 1855. By
1905 Greene was reported to be "much stricken in years" and he died
soon afterwards aged 82.
The Rev. Joseph Greene MA is best known entomologically for his
paper "Pupa Digging" published in the Zoologist in 1857. The next year
the paper was published by Newman as a separate leaflet, price two
pence. It brought lasting fame to Parson Greene. A proposal was made to
present him with a testimonial in the form of a silver trowel. E.W. Classey
re-published "Pupa Digging" in 1957 and pondered on the fate of the
trowel in the first volume of the Entomologist's Gazette. Greene also
caught two Mazarine blues (Cyaniris semiargus) at Guiting Power, near
Cheltenham, where he was working in 1850. C. semiargus was rare then
and is now extinct as a British butterfly.
160
AUGUST 1995
Poor Parson Greene. He has fallen under something of a cloud which I
feel is not justified. P.B.M. Allan suggests he was exaggerating in his
claims of the number of pupae he had dug. Certainly 60 pupae in an
area the size of a dinner plate and a thousand incerta larvae in one year
seem rather excessive. As a result there is a lingering doubt about his
honesty, but I think his enthusiasm was more that of a fisherman
describing his catch, rather than dishonesty.
So what happened to the famous moth? In the Entomologisfs Record
of 1906 (xviii pll92) there is a report of the sale of Greene's collection at
Stephens's Saleroom. The G. crenata fetched £8.10, a great deal of
money for the time (the two C. semiargus fetched £5.00). We were not
told who bought it. However it now sits resplendent in the National
Collection at South Kensington, with Greene's label underneath.
Above it in the same drawer are Henry Doubleday's moths. But it is of
great interest that there are three moths, not two, as so often
stated. Doubleday was guilty of not labelling his specimens on the pin. So
where did the third moth come from? Edward Newman in his British
Butterflies and Moths says "Three specimens were taken at Epping".
James English, who was employed by Doubleday to collect for him
claims to have taken G. crenata at Ongar. (Essex Field Club Records July
1884). He states quite clearly "In 1843 Gluphijsia crenata was taken at
Ongar Park woods and subsequently two others, both females. They are
now in the Doubleday Collection."
In Moths & Butterflies of Great Britain (Heath et al Vol. 9 p. 6) mention
is made of three Dusky marbled browns being taken among aspens on
the Isle of Man. Indeed, in the same drawer as the Greene and
Doubleday moths there is a single G. crenata, the label of which reads
"Isle of Man E.G.M. 1870 Bred." David Carter, the collections manager at
South Kensington, kindly pointed out to me a reference in the Entomologist
for July 1874 by Gregson who was in Man at the time, saw the moths on the
setting-boards and very much doubted that they were genuine. E.G.M. stood
for E.G. Meek, one of the Kentish Buccaneers so criticised by P.B.M. Allan as
being dishonest importers of foreign insects. It seems, therefore, that the
report of G. crenata from the Isle of Man is probably false.
So to summarise, I think there are four good records of G. crenata in
Britain, not three as normally stated: one caught by English, two by
Doubleday and one bred by Rev. J. Greene. The report of the moth from the
Isle of Man must be discounted.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
161
WILL BREEDING AND INSECT NETS BE BANNED?
bi^Ton]; Steele (4106)
With the impending review of the 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act, it
would seem almost certain that the Act will be amended to encompass
most of the British butterfly species. One interesting possibility which
could arise, is that the possession and breeding of these protected species,
and the carrying and/or use of insect nets would be prohibited, unless a
licence is granted.
One well-known conservation organisation, has already requested that
butterfly nets are not to be used on field trips. That request could easily
become an order, and they may even appeal to Parliament to include a
ban or restriction in the amendment.
Then we must not forget the excellent work that breeders do, be it just
for interest, for photographic purposes, or for the perfect cabinet
specimen. A gravid female is collected, her progeny are then reared to
maturity with virtually no losses because of protection from parasites etc,
and the surplus released in the original location, thus reinforcing the
donor colony. Much valuable information has been discovered by
amateur breeders over the years, and to ban this pastime will be a
deplorable loss to the entomological world.
We all know that it is not collecting that is the main cause of the decline
of our butterflies and other insects, but simply loss of suitable habitat. The
chief culprit being the "head in sand" attitude of the Government to build
more and more roads, instead of investing in a decent public transport
system. These days, a site that has been designed SSSI status, is almost
totally meaningless. Just look what happened to Twyford Down in
Hampshire.
BANANA BUTTERFLY
by Geoff Ayres (8950)
I have recently been given a dead butterfly which was found, apparently
trapped, in a bunch of bananas (Musa x Sapientum spp. Tescola).
It is fully expanded so I suspect that it may have chosen a poor roosting
site. I identified the insect as Hamadrxjas guatemalena (Bates) so
presumably the source was Central America.
162
AUGUST 1995
THE V8 4x4 MOBILE INSECT TRAP
bv Leigh Plester (2968)
Yla-Muuratidrui. 41800 Korpilahti, Finland.
Those who have had enough of the conventional light trap for catching
insects might like to consider adding a few extra lights, a V8 petrol
engine, some dented aluminium mudguards, and high and low ratio
gearing. If the resulting con(trap)tion looks a bit like a Land-Rover, that
may be because an insect trap of this kind has already proved a highly
marketable commodity due to its mobility.
"While tearing out the lining from the roof of our 1980 Land-Rover in
the summer of 1993," I wrote on 14th November 1993, "I came across a
large number of dead insects, mainly lacewings but including one or two
other specimens. The vehicle has had a somewhat unusual history,
having been shipped new to Bahrain in 1980 where it remained
(according to a still intact tax disc) until at least 1986, when it was
apparently shipped back to the UK.
"It was purchased from there in 1990 by a Finnish Land-Rover dealer
and was stuck out in the yard in Helsinki until September 1992, when I
bought it off them. The vehicle is a LWB model, registered in Finland as a
van, but it may originally have been a pick-up later fitted with a van top
in the UK. Presumably the cab, from the roof lining of which I detached
some of the specimens, is original, though.
"So, all in all we could be looking at some common insects from the
UK or some 'exotic' from Bahrain. It is also possible that the insects could
have crept into the lining in Helsinki. There is, incidentally, a sticker on
the rear side window advertising the Breckland Land-Rover Club and
another for the Camel trophy/UK and Baikal, USSR (as it then was).
Since the vehicle has my headhunter's monkey skull charm hanging from
the rear view mirror, yet has never actually been driven in Borneo, these
stickers may merely have been acquired by an eccentric owner like
myself."
On looking up Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street, I discovered he had
given up sleuthing and gone into television, so I sent the letter (abridged
above) and the appropriate specimens to three experts: Eric Bradford in
Kent (Microlepidoptera), Colin Plant in Hertfordshire (Naturalist,
Entomologist and lacewing specialist), and Dr Rauno Linnavuori of
Somersoja, Finland (Hemiptera, including those of the Middle East).
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
163
Mr Bradford replied, "I have managed to identify one specimen. It goes
by the name Agonopter\;x heracliana L., a common micromoth in this
country (UK) and on the continent, including Norway and Finland. The
Land-Rover must have been in the damp at some time as the moth was
slightly mouldy; similar to bread mould. I had to dissect the body out
which more or less fell apart in the petri dish. However, there was enough
to make the determination. The second moth, or three-quarters of a moth
(there was one forewing and two hindwings, no body) was the same
species, probably a female. Nothing remotely exotic about them.
"I do not know what to make of the empty pupal skin. It could be from
which the second moth emerged. I am not a specialist when it comes to
pupae. There was also a husk of grass or grain, a bit of the roof lining and
that's about it. Shame it wasn't an exciting thing from Bahrain but that's
how it goes."
After receiving my initial enquiry together with a monochrome print,
and later the desiccated lacewings, Colin Plant duly reported that, "I
rather suspected what they might be when I got your first letter, as there is
really only one species of green lacewing that hibernates and is therefore
likely to be found in odd places such as Land-Rovers! My suspicions were
strengthened when I saw the photograph and confirmed when I saw the
specimens! They are all examples of Chrysoperla carnea Stephens
(Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) - probably the most numerically abundant
and geographically widespread green lacewing in the Palaearctic Region.
In the Nearctic (North America) it is replaced by Chrysoperla plorabunda
which, say some, is the same species with an American accent. It is
present in Finland."
He then went into more detail. "C/i. carnea may in fact be a species
complex. French researcher, Dr Patrice Leraut, recently split off Ch.
renoni, Ch. lucasina and Ch.kolthoffi as distinct species, raising the names
from the vast list of synonyms available for carnea. His views are not
universally agreed, but there is, nevertheless, an International
Chrysoperla carnea Working Group, based in Switzerland and organised
by Dr Peter Duelli. Not as loony as it may initially seem - carnea shows
great geographic variation and there is a theory that it is actually evolving
before our very eyes.
"Sorry this is a rather boring response to a potentially interesting
question, but the insects could have got in anywhere along the route and
there are no clues from their identity!"
Members might like to note Mr Plant's final comment, "I should be
pleased to look at Finnish lacewings if you ever need any identifying; and
164
AUGUST 1995
Members might like to note Mr Plant's final comment, "I should be
pleased to look at Finnish lacewings if you ever need any identifying; and
of course if you ever come across any interesting species I do have a few
"gaps" in my reference collection!", as I feel this could apply universally. I
have to take issue with his comment about "boring response", however!
In turn, Dr Linnavuori replied that the solitary bug I had sent him
". . . belongs to Elasmostethus interstinctus L. (Acanthosomatidae). It is
definitely not from Bahrain, but since it is common in the UK, Finland or
even Siberia, I cannot tell its origin."
E. interstinctus is the birch shieldbug found throughout the British Isles
in mixed broadleaf woodlands. It hibernates as an adult under bark or in
moss. To these details from Southwood and Leston, one is tempted to
add, "... and in the roof lining of old Land-Rovers!"
I should like to express my sincere appreciation to the three experts for
identifying the specimens with such enthusiasm and dedication. The only
other insect of merit I can recollect having seen in a trap fitted with an
internal combustion engine was my first Mazarine blue (C\;aniris
senniargus). This was caught in the radiator of a car in northern France in
July 1962. I wonder whether other members have made use of similar
traps?
PALE CLOUDED YELLOW (C. HYALE) -
A REQUEST FOR RECORDS
by Michael Edmonds (3821 )
31 Beconsfield Close, Dorridge. Solihull. West Midlands B93 8QZ.
The Pale clouded yellow is a butterfly which is rarely seen in this country,
but with an exceptionally warm summer and the recording of numerous
sightings of migrant species such as the Queen of Spain fritillary and
Camberwell beauty the possibility of the Pale clouded yellow being
sighted is high. I would, therefore, be pleased to hear of any sightings
with a location and grid reference.
REFERENCE
Southwood & Leston. (1959). Land and Water Bugs of the British Isles.
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
165
PRESERVING ONE S RECORDS
by RA. Eades (9730)
28 The Stra];, South Cave, Brough, North Humberside HU15 2AL.
Peggie Pitkin's note (Vol 53: 256) is of great interest. Undoubtedly she is
correct in wishing to avoid "twitching" entering entomology, though it
surely cannot be denied that the urge to collect and classify is deep rooted
in people, even entomologists. Indeed, our great museums are founded
on this need.
May I suggest that one practical step which every naturalist should take
is to ensure that one's notes and records are entered into a permanent
archive for storage after one's death. The local museum or public record
office would seem a sensible location. Time after time, the vultures and
tidy-up brigade come along after the sad event, looking for pickings. That
which is not financially valuable is thrown into the dustbin. How many
priceless collections and diaries have been lost in this way, through
ignorance and apathy? It really does not bear thinking about!
A further useful task would be to try and analyse one's records over the
years. Probably the most productive way would be to look at each site
that one has ever worked, and draw up a list of species found there, with
details of abundance, changes in status, exceptional years of abundance
or disappearance. The further back one can go, the better. A site-based
approach would probably be the most useful for conservationists,
especially in planning battles.
It is surprising how frequently it happens that when a planning
application is put forward which will destroy a good insect habitat, almost
invariably nothing is written up nor published about the location. Yet it
has been worked by local naturalists and entomologists for years, if not
generations. The knowledge resides in diaries, collections, or people's
heads, but not in a form which can be presented to a planning inspector.
With "motorway madness" still this country's only transport policy,
nowhere can be assumed safe.
For those brave souls who have entered the computer age, the final
solution would presumably be to enter all one's records onto a computer
disc. This can then be lodged at a museum or data bank, copies can
easily be made from it, and the storage problem of bulky notebooks can
be reduced. English Nature have produced a software package called
"Recorder" which the experts say is ideal to store and collate records for
future use. Perhaps this will eventually create a "Domesday Book" for
nature conservation?
i
166
AUGUST 1995
60 YEARS OF THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS SOCIETY
Part IV. 1965-74
by \Nayr\e Jarvis (9899)
During the late 1960s, conservation became a common interest amongst
entomologists and this was highlighted in Bulletin articles in particular.
The 1940s reporting of insect collecting now gave way to observations
and habitat reports.
The AES went into its fourth decade with a stable membership of just
over 800 and the Bulletin in its 24th Volume. H.V. Danks continued his
reign as editor, and in August 1965 produced a special issue (Volume 54:
Number 268) in which two articles were published. A guide to, and local
insects in north-west Cornwall by D. Trebilcock and Insect migration - a
review by C.B. Williams. 1965 was a good year for the Society, with
production and sale of AES metal badges (still available today) for 3s 9d
with 4d postage and packing, but the highlight of the year was
undoubtedly the exhibition. This was again held at Hugh Myddleton
School in October and attracted an enormous number of exceedingly
high quality exhibits despite the summer being one of the worst ever for
sun-loving insects, especially in the Home Counties.
A subscription increase greeted 1966. after heavy losses in the previous
year, partly due to the large August Bulletin which cost £223 to produce
compared with the normal Bulletins cost of £143. A huge interest was
shown by Junior members in stick-insects which were now readily
available to those who wished to rear them. Field meetings were also
regularly organised during the year.
A regular Bulletin feature over the years had been D. Ollevant's
Smaller moths - collecting notes. With the August 1966 Bulletin (Volume
25: Number 272) this was taken over by A.M. Emmet.
February 1968 saw the only remaining Study Group of the Society, the
AES Breeding Group, become the AES Consei-vation Group, in light of
the keen interest in conservation. The Bulletin, by this time had become
dominated with the larger articles which prior to 1963 had been hard to
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
167
come by. Mr Danks resigned from the editorship with the May 1968 issue
due to personal reasons, ending his six year association with the Bulletin.
His successor was David Corke (who incidentally some 20 years later was
my lecturer at University - and I never knew that he had edited the
Bulletin]). The Royal Entomological Society called a special meeting on
21st June 1968 to set up an independent broadly-based committee for
the conservation of insects, the JCCBI, in which the AES had, and still
has, an active part. By the end of the year, the Society saw a second
Study Group formed, this being the reformation of the Silkmoth Rearers'
Group.
A new Bulletin format was seen in 1969, with a look more familiar with
today's publication. The two-column structure adopted over the past 30
years was abolished, thus making it easier to publish longer articles as
AES leaflets. The conservation group continued to thrive and the
exhibition was a huge success, with a change in venue to Holland Park,
Kensington, where space was more freely available.
David Corke resigned as Bulletin editor with the February 1970 edition
(Volume 29: Number 286) and was replaced by John Bocock. A third
Study Group, the Midlands Group was formed during this year.
The first ever black and white photographs were included in the
Bulletin in 1971, with two pictures of dark bush crickets being
incorporated into an article in Volume 30: Number 293, November 1971
ppll8-9. However, the next photographs didn't appear for a couple of
years. Over 2000 people attended the exhibition, but traders were
beginning to dominate the event, far outweighing exhibitors, and Council
decided to address this the following year.
John Bocock joined the list of retired editors in February 1972 (Volume
31: Number 294) and was replaced by Paul Boswell. It was during this
year that the membership passed the 1000 mark for only the second time
in the Society's history.
An important year in the Society's history was 1973, the Society gained
Charity Status. The Bulletin increased in size and the printer was
changed. Ellis and Phillips Ltd were replaced by the Kettering-based V.B.
Pike. During 1973 two official sub-committees of the Society were
formed. The Conservation group was amalgamated into the Society as
the Conservation Committee, and a Finance Committee was set up. The
300th Bulletin appeared during 1973 in August, which also saw the
departure of Paul Boswell as editor. With no successor forthcoming, Peter
Cribb stepped into the editor's shoes in a temporary capacity until a
replacement could be found.
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AUGUST 1995
Only two Bulletins went by until that successor was found. Brian
Gardiner stepped foiivard to begin a spell of 20 years of highly successful
editorship. Brian had previously had a brief association with the Bulletin
under Beowulf Cooper in 1947-8.
A selection of Bulletin articles from the decade follows.
From Volume 24 Number 267, May 1965. Page 68.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
by Wendi'Russ (3784J)
Sir.- Last year 1 found an old Song Thrush's nest, three feet up in a
hedge. Later, when taking it to pieces to look for insects. I was surprised
to find a moth pupa inside it. The pupa was kept and later produced a
specimen of the Clouded-bordered brindle {Apamea crenata Hufn.).
Surely this was a very unusual place for a caterpillar to pupate. Have any
other members found pupae in birds' nests?
From Volume 25 Number 272. August 1 966. Pages 82-83.
COLLECTING FLIES WITHOUT A NET
by R.M. Payne (2982)
Collecting flies without a net has at least two distinct advantages. The
specimens are much less likely to be damaged than if they are caught on
the wing, or swept off vegetation: and you can obser\/e them beforehand
and study their behaviour, either with the naked eye or under a weak lens
with a suitably wide field.
I have spent many pleasant hours looking for and at flies in situations
that lent themselves to this technique, for example on ti"ee trunks, on the
ivet moss and rocks by waterfalls or on broad leaves in my garden. To
give you an idea of the variety of tlies that occur in such places 1 will
describe two particular occasions.
One day in June 1964 I strolled down a broad ride in Epping Forest,
and paused to examine the trunks of a few oak {Quercus sp.) and
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus Linn.) trees. My only equipment was a
number of glass tubes, a hand lens and a notebook. If you have not
looked closely at a ti'unk in summer before, it is suiprising what a lot of
insect life is to be seen on its surface. In a veiy short time I had tubed
specimens of twelve species of tlies in nine families.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
169
By far the most abundant fly was the tiny Empidid Tachypeza nubiia
Meig., which was running about the trunk. The other species were:
Tipulidae, Ilisia occoecata Edw. and Molophilus ochraceus Meig.;
Culicidae, Ades cantans Meig.; Mycetophilidae, Tetragoneura s[;!uatica
Curtis; Rhagionidae, Rhagio scolopacea Linn, and R. lineola Fab.;
Doiichopodidae, Medeterus tristis Zett. and Sciopus plat\;pterus Fab.;
Muscidae, Alloest\;lus diaphanus Weid.; and undetermined species of
Cecidomyiidae and Phoridae (two very difficult families for which keys
are not available).
The other occasion was very different. At the end of June 1964 I was
climbing up a shoulder of the Brecon Beacons, and stopped to have my
sandwiches by a small waterfall about 2000 feet above sea level. After I
had eaten I looked closely over the sheet of wet moss hanging at the sides
of the waterfall, and found several males of the large Rhagio scolopacea
Linn, sitting in their usual attitude face downwards. The other flies noted
on this moss were all Tipulids - perhaps because this is the family 1 am
most interested in! Species were Tipula cheethami Edw., Dolichopeza
albipes Stroem., Dicranomyia didyma Meig., D. aquosa Verrall and
Tricijphona claripennis Verrall. All these flies were captured simply by
tubing them as they rested on the moss. In the case of one species -
Dolichopeza - I was able to make some notes of their courtship behaviour
while I watched them, subsequently capturing just one specimen to
confirm their identity.
From Volume 26, Number 275, May 1967, Page 54.
SKIN CHANGING IN THE INDIAN MOON MOTH
by D.J. Longman (4042J)
Last year (1966) I bred some Actias selene Huebn. (Indian moon moth).
They were easy to breed, but turned out to be rather a problem in the
winter, because the only food that they would take was Rhododendron
and 1 had to keep getting fresh supplies, which were about ten miles
away.
The small larvae hatched from fairly large ochreous coloured eggs and
assumed a red colour with black warts with white hairs arising from them.
This skin lasted for just under a week.
The second skin was much the same, although there was a black band
running cross-ways over the body. This skin lasted for just under two
weeks.
The third skin was considerably different from the previous two. Its
main colour was a transparent green, but the warts had changed colour to
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AUGUST 1995
yellow. In ihis skin, and in the fumre skins. I saw ihe front four warts
become more prominent. This skin lasted for approximately two and a
half weeks.
The only difference in the fourth skin was the increase in size, and the
time that the laivae kept the skin. I now expected the lar\-ae to pupate,
but instead they kept feeding. They changed three more skins before
pupating in a thin, papeiy cocoon, which was made by bringing two or
three leaves together with a few strands of brown silk. The larvae did not
complete the cocoon straight away, but waited for about forty hours
before commencing again. It took about three days' work by the lar\-ae to
complete the cocoon.
The pupae were about one and a half inches long, with a rich dark
brown smiace. There was no sign on the wing cases of the long tails that
are present on the hindwings.
Would anyone who has had a laiva change more than seven skins,
please let me know?
From Volume 27. yumber 27S. FebruGry 1963. Pages 33-34.
GNATS WITH AN ANTENNA FOR MUSIC
by Leigh Plesier 12968)
Quite often, while perusing literature outside m.y own immediate spheres
of study. I discover an item which interests me not simply as another
piece of scientific knowledge, but rather as a novel piece of information
easily recalled to m.ind for a long tim.e afteiwards.
Such an item, appears in Annales Zoologici Fennici (1966). in which
Jaakko Syriamaki reports his observations on dusk-swarming in
Cr.ironomiis pseiidothummi Sti^enzke. These obseivations were made at
the Lammi Biological Station, south Finland i61"'03'X: 25'03'E). during
the late summer of 1965.
"One evening, when watching the swarm. I began to hum a Finnish
folk-song. As 1 hummed the first note, the whole swarm abruptly moved
down and the nearest swarmers flew veiy vigorously to the vicinity of my
mouth. This led me to stop humming, whereupon the males immediately
returned to the swarm. The tone sung proved to be G \i.e. about 200
vibrations per second) as determined with the aid of a piano-fone in the
nearby home of the janitor of the Station.""
I would be interested to know whether any of our members have met
with similar experiences in the field. Syriamaki records that the
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
171
phenomenon has been observed before (Nielsen and Grieve, 1940), but
as neither of these observations was made in Britain, if one of our
dipterists is sufficiently interested he could perhaps perform some original
work in the field using, for example, a set of tuning forks. It might be
possible to discover what vibrations attract the males of the various British
species, hence to contribute to the knowledge respecting mate-attraction
in the females.
References: Syrjamaki, J. (1966). Annales Zoologici Fennici, 3(1): 20-8. Dusk swarming
of Chironomus pseudothummi Strenzke. (Dipt. Chironomidae).
Nielsen, E.T. & Grieve. H. (1950). Bull. Entom. Res., 41: 227-28. Studies on the swarming
habits of mosquitoes and other Nematocera.
From Volume 27, Number 278, Februari; 1968, Pages 34-5.
THE GLOW-WORM IN KENT
by Brian Wurzell (3718)
Recently I heard that as this insect seems to be decreasing in numbers
recent records were of special interest. In June 1967, I found Glow-worms
(Lampyris noctiluca Linn.) to be quite frequent in the Weald of Kent, just
south of Knole Park, Sevenoaks. Any half an hour's walk after dark would
certainly reveal two or three females on pathsides and verges, while males
regularly came to electric lights, presumably confusing artificial light with
the sexually-inviting light of the female. Perhaps the female's light renders
her far more vulnerable to nocturnal predators, not to mention collectors,
or even passers-by who cannot resist handing, or displaying to their
friends, objects of unique interest. More publicity about the precarious
status of the Glow-worm could do no harm.
From Volume 32, Number 301, November 1973, Page 1 72.
KEEPING THOSE ANTS AT BAY (AND ALIVE)
by T.P. Pa\;ne (4688)
I refer to I. Scott's troubles with keeping his ants. I offer the following
observations which he might find helpful. Insects flourish best in captivity
when given as much space as possible so the Formicarium should be as
big as is convenient. Ants can roam over any surface, even when upside
down, within their foraging area. The ants' nests at the London Zoo are
given about three feet in each direction but this may be too large for the
average amateur. A moat of water is still the best way to confine the ants
I but the base of the "island" should slope gently towards the water and
j not end abruptly in a "cliff" over which the ants are sure to fall. They
I
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AUGUST 1995
need water and can get what they want from the water's edge of the
sloping shore. Water will have to be added daily in hot weather to
compensate for evaporation and a wide wall brush should be passed over
the surface to remove debris and film which forms on the surface and
enables the ants to cross over. Outdoor cages should be protected from
birds and it is sufficient to form a frame of timber which is then covered
with nylon netting of the type used to cover fruit bushes.
The making of the cage can be as follows. A plastic washing-up bowl is
placed on an old table top or similar flat board of the dimensions
suggested above, in the centre of the board with the bowl mouth
upwards. A mould of cement/sand mixture is built up around the bowl to
its lip and then dished away and down to be raised again at the periphery
of the table so that a moat is formed around the central island (see
sketch). The ants' nest is set in the bowl with soil and litter from the
original site of the nest if possible. It is a heavy contraption so should be
made in situ.
Do not use DDT to prevent roaming as the ants will bring it back into
the nest with fatal results Suitable food for the ants to collect can be
placed in spots around the island.
SLOVENIA OR SLOVAKIA?
by WgCdrR. Parker (5247)
263 Back Row. Bur\; St. Edmunds. Suffolk IP28 SEX.
Readers wishing to see the limestone valley in the Mala Fati-a National
Park, pictured on Plate 95G in Vol. 54 No. 399. should be sure to visit
the right country. It is not in Slovenia (former Yugoslavia) as suggested in
the caption, but in Slovakia (former Czechoslovakia) - as correctly
described in the map and article (p. 67).
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
173
UNLIKELY BUTTERFLY HABITAT IN THE PHILIPPINES
by Peter B. Hardi; (9436) and Grace C. Abejuela
10 Dudle\; Road. Sale. Cheshire.
During three weeks of butterfly observation in the PhiHppines in
December 1994 and January 1995, as well as visiting areas recognised as
prime butterfly habitat, we carried out some studies on the extent to
which some of the more successful species were able to utilise sites which
would not normally be regarded as suitable habitat.
Such an area is Subic port, a former United States Navy base now
developing as a large-scale hotel, recreational and duty-free shopping
zone. Essentially it is an extensive complex of buildings and roads,
interspersed by areas of mown lawns, flower beds and occasional planted
trees. Although there is extensive primary rainforest about five miles
away, virtually no natural vegetation exists in the port area.
Shortly inside the port entrance, beside the road, we came across a
very large number of Common lineblues (Prosotas nora), centred on a
single small leguminous tree (approximately 15 feet tall), identified by
GCA as a "Camachile" (Phitacelobium dulce). Close to the tree were
several small ornamental shrubs with red flowers C'Gumamela"), and
some of the butterflies were straying over these; however, the Camachile
tree was clearly their base and there were none on nearby
Tamarind/Sampalok trees. The butterflies were very active; up to a
hundred could be seen in a space of a few minutes constantly making
short flights around the tree and adjacent vegetation, while others were
resting with closed wings or dorsal-reflectance basking with wings three
quarters open. Some were feeding from secretions on the leaves. We
stayed four days in the area and each time we passed during daylight
hours the butterflies were active, apparently without regard to whether the
day was sunny or cloudy, even when it was quite windy. They appeared
quite undeterred by the constant passage of pedestrians and vehicles.
Also, electric lights which were hung around the tree and switched on at
night presumably did not affect them.
We did not observe any dispersal away from the tree, and although no
egg-laying was witnessed, we are confident that the colony was breeding
on it. Elsewhere in the port area, although there were small numbers of
the butterfly around other Camachile trees, we found no other colony
comparable in size.
During previous tours of the Philippines we have come across this species
similarly congregating around single trees; however we feel the present
observation to be of exceptional interest because of its unlikely location.
174
AUGUST 1995
Diary Dates
Abbreviations
BENHS British Entomological and Natural History Society.
I: Information from:
LCES Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
LSL Linnean Society of London.
RES Royal Entomological Society of London.
RES(QG) RES Rooms, 41 Queen's Gate, London SW7.
RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
To make the diary effective contributions are needed from members. Any
relevant items should be sent to the Bulletin Editor . No charge is made for
entries. Please allow three months advance notice.
SEPTEMBER
2nd BENHS Field Meeting
Snettisham RSPB Reserve, Norfolk. Meet at 12.00hrs and IS.OOhrs at
car park (TF 647335).
I: Ken Saul 01493 369021.
9th BENHS Field Meeting
Dungeness, Kent. Meet at IS.OOhrs at Britannia pub car park (TR
092168).
I: Sean Clancy 01797 321458.
13th Some contributions towards a Red Data list of Lepidoptera and
other invertebrates in the London area.
Joint BENHS and LSL meeting. Colin Plant, well known for his detailed
reviews mapping the distribution of invertebrates in the London area
talks about how his work helps to assess which species are declining and
threatened. At Linnean Society's rooms. Burlington House, Piccadilly
from IS.OOhrs.
I: Dr Ian McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
14th/ Forests and Insects.
15th Symposium of the Royal Entomological Society of London to be held at
the Natural History Museum, London.
To Register or for I: Mr G.G. Bentley at RES 0171 584 8361.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
175
1 6th LCES Field Meeting.
Cil-y-Groeslwyd. Clwyd. Daytime meeting in conjunction with the Clwyd
Entomological Society. Meet at grid reference (SJ 126553) at ll.OOhrs.
I: Rob Whitehead 01824 704507.
Leajhopper Workshop.
BENHS Workshop at Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst,
Reading. (SU 784718). Starting at lO.SOhrs. Please book places prior to
event.
To book or for I: Dr Ian McLean, 109 Miller Way, Brampton,
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
BENHS Field Meeting and Genitalia Workshop.
Natural History Museum Gardens, London. Day to be split between
insect survey and tuition in the preparation and drawing of the genitalia
of Lepidoptera. Contact leader in advance please.
I: Malcolm Scoble 0171 938 9200.
1 9th LCES Indoor Meeting.
Talk to be held at Liverptjol Museum 19.00hrs - subject and speaker to
be finalised.
OCTOBER
7th AES Annual Exhibition.
Kempton Park Racecourse. Doors open ll.OOhrs until 17.00hrs.
I: Roy McCormick,
36 Paradise Road, Teignmouth, Devon TQ14 8WR.
10th BENHS Indoor Meeting - British Hairstreaks and their
Conservation.
RES(QG) 18.00hrs. Ken Willmott gives a talk on these attractive and
elusive butterflies which have distinctive conservation needs.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
1 7th LCES Indoor Meeting.
Review of the 1995 season. At Liverpool Museum, 19.00hrs.
28th BENHS Annual Exhibition and Annual Dinner.
Exhibits are encouraged. Non-BENHS members please contact the
organiser for details in advance.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
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Written in three parts at the turn of the century, this book has been reprinted
because it still represents the most comprehensive field guide covering both
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Breeding the British Butterflies (60 pages, 6 figures, 5 plates) .... £3.95
Breeding the British and European Hawkmoths (56 pages) £3.95
Practical Hints for Collecting and Studying
Microlepidoptera (40 pages, 1 1 figures) £3.40
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A Silkmoth Rearers Handbook (Hardback, 225pp + 32 colour
plates showing 74 photographs of larvae and adult moths) £13.75
Killing, Setting and Storing Butterflies and Moths ( 19 pages) .... £2.85
The Study of Stoneflies, Mayflies and Caddis Flies (44 pp, 1 0 flgs.) . . £3.40
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The Hymenopterists Handbook (226 pages, illustrated) £8.50
Revised Flight Tables for the Hymenoptera (24 pages) £2.00
A Coleopterists Handbook (Hardback, 300 pages, illustrated) . . . .£15.50
Host plants of British Beetles (24 pages) £2.00
A Dipterists Handbook (260 pages, illustrated) £9.50
Rearing and Studying Stick and Leaf-Insects (73 pp. 43 figs. 17 plates) . £5.00
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All the above publications sent post free to U.K. addresses. Outside U.K. please
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THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY
ANNUAL EXHIBITION, 1995
Saturday, 7th October
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE,
STAINES ROAD, SUNBURY, MIDDX.
ACCESSIBILITY: The Racecourse is easy to reach by road and rail, and
there is adequate free car parking. The IVI25 is very near and is linked
to Kempton Park by the M3, which is less than a mile away. Sunbury
Railway Station with trains from Waterloo, is a short walk away. The
site is served by two bus routes. Green Line No. 290, and Red bus No.
216. Both these buses stop right outside.
ADMISSION: by Programme at the door, 50p. In addition, sticky
badges will be issued. These are to be worn while at the show.
PARKING: in the free car parks only. NOT outside the Grandstand.
Keep all entrances clear.
EXHIBITORS AND DEALERS ONLY will be admitted between 8 am
and 1 1 am.
TROLLEYS are not provided and provision should be made for heavy
loads.
ENTOMOLOGICAL DEALERS are attending.
REFRESHMENTS: Full facilities are available. All food and drink to be
consumed in the Refreshment Area.
SURPLUS MATERIAL: will be welcome for sale on behalf of the
Society's funds.
ANSORGE BEQUEST: Cash prizes and certificates to Junior Members
for exhibits at the Exhibition.
LIVESTOCK: It is the duty of both dealers and buyers to ensure that all
livestock is kept in containers which are roomy, hygienic and secure
against any possible escape.
EXHIBITS which show long series of wild-caught, rare or endangered
species will not be allowed.
ALL ENQUIRIES: Roy McCormick,
36 Paradise Road, Teignmouth, Devon TQ14 8NR
CONTENTS
P. Waring and R. Thomas. Moths and butterflies of the French Pyrennes,
22nd-31st July 1994 124
A. Steele. Observing butterflies in Austria, July 1994 130
D.F. Madin. A further study of the Odonata of Milton Country Park
(South Cambridgeshire) 149
P.J. Edwards. The search for crenata - the Dusky marbled brown 159
L. Plester. The V8 4x4 mobile insect trap 162
W.J. Jaruis. 60 years of the Amateur Entomologists' Society, Part IV. 1965-74 166
Short Communications
C. Martin. Roesel's bush cricket in Surrey 129
F. McCann. Glasgow observations 133
J.A.D. Smith. An observation on Prepona dexamenus 154
P. Bragg. The use of silica gel for drying insects in the tropics 155
L. Plester. A further note on Swallowtail larvae eating ground elder 156
A.D. Dillon. Was 1994 a great Clouded yellow year? 158
A. Steele. Will breeding nests be banned? 161
G. Ayres. Banana butterfly 161
M. Edmonds. Pale clouded yellow (C. hya/e) - a request for records 164
R.A. Eades. Preserving one's records 165
P.B. Hardy and G.C. Abejuela. Unlikely butterfly habitat in the Philippines 173
1994 Exhibition Report 134
Editorial 123
Book Review
Danmarks Svirrefluer 157
Diary Dates 174
Slovenia or Slovakia? Correction to Vol. 54: (399) 172
NOTICE
It is to be distinctly understood that ali views, opinions, or theories, expressed in the pages of this Journal are solely those
of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or sought, requests for help or informa-
tion, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Editor, the Officers and Council of the Society, nor its Trustees, can be held
responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance thereon.
© 1995. The Amateur Entomologists' Society.
(Registered Charity No. 267430)
All rights reserved.
Published 20th August 1995 by the Amateur Entomologists' Society
(Registered Charity No. 267430), from 4 Steep Close. Orpington. Kent BR6 6DS.
Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd.. 1 Tower Hill. Brentwood. Essex CM14 4TA.
6s. 56 ^
ISSN 0266-836X
%9
Volume 54, No. 402, October, 1995
The Bulletin
of the Amateur
Entomologists'
Society
^ -^rjL Natural
i H!5^T0PVMUSFUM
10 OCT ie9§
PRESENTED
ENTOIVIOIOGY LIBRARY
EDITOR
WAYNE JARVIS BSc.
The Amateur Entomologists' Society
Founded in 1935
President:
Secretary;:
Treasurer:
Registrar:
Bulletin Editor:
General Editor:
Advertising Secretary:
Exhibition Secretary:
Youth Secretary:
ICN Editor:
Wants & Exchange:
Habitat Conservation Officer:
Rob Dyke
26 Ridings Avenue, Winchmore Hill, London N21 2EL.
Wayne Jarvis
9a Brook Street, Luton, Bedfordshire LU3 IDS.
e-mail: jarvisw@bbsrc.ac.uk. Tel: (01582) 485820.
Andrew Locke
150 Sheen Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 lUU.
Mark Colvin
5 Oakfield, Plaistow, Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 OQD.
Wayne Jarvis
9a Brook Street, Luton, Bedfordshire LU3 IDS.
Mike Bonsall
Centre for Population Biology, Imperial College at Silwood
Park, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY. e-mail: m.bonsall@ic.ac.uk.
Rob Dyke
26 Ridings Avenue, Winchmore Hill, London N21 2EL.
Roy McCormick
36 Paradise Road, Teignmouth, Devon TQM 8WR.
Darren Mann
c/o The Registrar, address as above.
David Lonsdale
33 King's Road, Alton, Hampshire GU34 IPX.
Owen Lewis
Department of Pure & Applied Biology,
The University of Leeds,
Leeds LS2 9JT.
Martin Harvey
10 Kiln Ride, Upper Basildon, Berkshire RG8 8TA.
Subscriptions: First subscription (including entrance fee) £12. or £8 under
18. Renewals £10 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12.
Subcription due by the 1st January each year.
Advertising Rate: The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the
Bulletin. Full page £60, Half page £40, Quarter page £25.
Insert charges available on request to Advertising Secretary,
address as above.
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(stamp appreciated).
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enquiries and viewing
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BRUNEL MICROSCOPES LTD
Dept. AES, 113 Henbury Road
Bristol BS10 7AA
Midlands
Christmas Entomological Fair
Granby Halls, Leicester
Sunday 26th November 1995
10.30am -4.30pm
Admissions £1.00 Adults - 50p Juniors (5-16)
• .4// major dealers in attendance. •
• Specialist groups and organisations. •
• Equipment for breeding and collecting. •
• Livestock, papered stock, books and periodicals. •
• Large reptile section. •
Enquiries: Jack Harris, 01455 846310
Bar and catering .\mple free parking
Dian note: Spring Fair - same venue 31st March 1996
PEMBERLEY BOOKS
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E-Mail: ij(a)pembooks. demon. co.uk
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AES BULLETIN
No. 402
MscTORV MUSEUM
THE NATURAL
3 0 OCT 1995
PRESENTED
ENTOMOLOGY LIBRARY
EDITORIAL
It was with great sadness that the Society heard of the tragic death of Eric
Bradford, who has been an integral part of the Society for many, many
years. Eric's devotion and dedication to entomology in general was
second to none, and we send his family our dearest sympathy.
I would like to apologise to all authors who have submitted a paper
recently. Due to the inclusion of ICN within the Bulletin and the length of
articles which have accompanied colour plates, it has meant that there
has been a build up of articles on my desk. Please rest assured that if you
have sent an article it will be published as soon as possible!
The new look Bulletin is now certain to be launched in February. I am
still interested to hear of any features that you would like to see included
in the future, after all it is your journal and we aim to include what you
want to read. If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free
to drop me a line.
The 1995 exhibition was, once again, a success despite the inclement
weather. It was Roy McCormick's last exhibition as the organiser, and on
behalf of the Society, I would like to thank him for all his hard work,
which has paid off year after year, making the event a very enjoyable
occasion. Hopefully, his successor, Maxwell Barclay, will be able to
continue where Roy has left off.
Finally, please note that subscriptions are due shortly, and it would
help the registrar enormously if the membership forms are returned as
soon as possible. We are also in the process of compiling a new
membership list for 1996 and we would appreciate it if the accompanying
interests form could also be returned.
Best wishes,
Wayne Jarvis.
178
OCTOBER 1995
HOW LONG-LEGGED WAS THAT ROMAN SOLDIER?
- A CONTRIBUTION ON ROMANUS LONGIPES
by Neil A. Robinson (1 0002)
I enjoyed reading Richard Jones's article How big is that bug? in the
October 1994 issue of the Bulletin, which prompted some mental
meanderings on my own part.
I note that the mile (originally 1618 yards) for a Roman soldier was
1000 paces. Mighty long-legged these Romans, with paces of 1.6 yards!
The explanation, I recollect from my schooldays, is that the Roman pace
was a double stride ie the distance advanced by each foot, not the
distance between feet, so the Roman mille passuun] was 2000 of our
paces. That makes their pace 0.8 yards or 28.8 inches which sounds
about right for their reputedly smaller stature - they were in fact Ronnan
breuipes.
I was intrigued to learn about the origin and size of that mysterious unit
of length the "line" which I can remember encountering in old books
when 1 was a boy without ever knowing what it meant, and why my
word-processor gives Font sizes in "points", but 1 thought that typesetters
designed layout in "ems". The Concise O.E.D. defines "em" as "the unit for
measuring the amount of printed matter in a line", without explaining the
dimensions - so what on earth is an "em"?
On the subject of systems based on twelves, I think there are even older
systems based on sixes and 60s. I remember vaguely from my schooldays
that the reason why divisions of 60 are so prevalent in time-keeping and in
geometry (6 x 60 degrees in the circle) is that arithmetic used by the
Egyptians, the earliest Western astronomers, was based on these units (but I
am not suggesting that it was because they had six digits). Perhaps someone
can confirm this or correct me on this matter?
Finally, 1 dread the 25 millimetre worm (though not as much as the 25
metre Lampton Worm recorded in V.C. 66 near Penshaw Hill) which puts me
in mind of the crooked man who walked a crooked 1.6 kilometres and found
a crooked . . .
[Printer's note: Because we need some standard to work to. the good old-fashioned printer works
still to the old printers' standard:
72 points to the inch (even this measurement is approximate!)
To make matters worse, the "em" is a variable measure too! It is a square unit for any size type
you are using. For example: if you are using 12 point type, the em is 12 point x 12 point (=6 to
the inch); if you are using 8 point type, the em is 8 point x 8 point ( = 9 to the inch): and so on
with all sizes of type.
I think there is a shift-tendency towards the dreaded metric system, but well-trained printers still
plump for the time-honoured system because, well . . it does work for us at Cravitz!]
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
179
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES OF THE FRENCH PYRENEES,
22nd - 31st JULY 1994
by Paul Waring (4220) and Rachael Thomas
continued from page 129
Up into the mountains
On 26th July we drove up into the mountains to Col de Portel (42°55'N
l°2rE) and spent two hours, from 12.00 - 14.00 hrs, enjoying the hot
sun. Here we visited open hillsides covered in ling heather, bracken,
bramble, broom and St. John's-worts Hypericum spp., with patches of
betony Betonica officinalis, bird's-foot trefoil and thyme Thymus sp. Male
Oak eggar moths were patrolling and we saw several of the purple and
gold geometrid Lythria purpurata which can easily be confused with
Lythria purpuraria which has only two major purple bands across the
forewing rather than the three of L. purpurata. Six-spot burnet moths
Zygaena filipendulae were frequent, feeding at Scabious flowers. This was
a good place for butterflies and we saw several High brown fritillaries
Argynnis adippe flying up and down amongst the patches of bracken. A
specimen was netted to confirm that it was not a Dark green fritillary A.
aglaja or a Niobe A. niobe. A couple of the Knapweed fritillary Melitaea
phoebe were also noted. Several of the dark brown Piedmont ringlet
Erebia meolans were seen feeding on flowers of a small scabious, a
Swallowtail Papilio machaon was photographed sunbathing on a bracken
frond. Small tortoiseshells Aglais urticae, Clouded yellows Colias croceus
and Meadow browns Maniola jurtina were common, a Purple emperor
Apatura iris was seen flying around scrub woodland fringing the hillside
and a female Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni and a male Pale-shot copper
Lycaena alciphron gordius were also noted.
We moved on to a rocky limestone peak just above the lake at Etang
de Lers (42°48'N 1°23'E). Here was a quite different habitat (altitude
1517 metres) comprising scattered bushes of juniper Juniperus
communis, bramble, holly, hazel and red elder with carpets of harebells
Campanula rotundifolia, the pale yellow flowering Sideritis hyssopifolia a
small labiate, a Lady's mantle Alchemilla sp., a rock-rose Helianthemum
sp., fringed pinks Dianthus monsspessulanus, thyme, bird's-foot trefoil
and St. John's-worts Hypericum spp. The Chalkhill blue Lysandra
coridon was common, with males and females nectaring on the Sideritis.
Several Large wall browns Lasiommata maera were flitting about and
male Six-spot burnets were patrolling. A worn female Oak eggar was
found and a small white geometrid which proved to be a female
180
OCTOBER 1995
Crocota peletieraria was noticed at rest on the bare rock. We sat enjoying
the scenery and watching these insects from 16.00 - 17.00 hrs before
driving on.
At 17.45 hrs just below Port de Lers (41°48'27"N r25'9"E, c.1500
metres) we pulled over at a series of hairpin bends to watch a female
Apollo butterfly Parnassius apollo still feeding in the flower of spear thistle
Cirsium vulgaris even though the sun had gone in. We watched it for
over half an hour and in the process disturbed what looked like a large
grey Common carpet moth Epirrhoe alternata but which proved to be E.
moUuginata, which was at rest on the underside of a bramble leaf.
On 27th July we drove high up into the mountains to the French
border adjoining Andorra. We followed the D108 road up from
Vicdessos, via Marc, until it became an unsurfaced track up to the
reservoir de Pla de Soulcem and beyond, negotiating steep hair-pin
bends and loose rock scree until the boulders on the track became so
large and difficult to negotiate that we pulled the car over to let the engine
cool down and continued on foot. The climb had got us up into open
grassy hillsides lightly grazed by cattle, with U-shaped valleys and streams
(altitude 2500 metres). There were very few trees or bushes. To give an
idea of the flora, some of the plants noted amongst the grass sward
included yellow bedstraw Galium verum (on which we found a full-grown
caterpillar of the Hummingbird hawk-moth), thyme, bird's-foot trefoil,
yellow rattle Rhinanthus sp., yarrow Achf//ea millefolium, harebell, fringed
pink, eyebright Euphrasia officinalis agg. and the St. John's-wort
Hypericum maculatum. Just below the Andorran border an Apollo flew
across the track and a Berger's clouded yellow Colias alfacariensis was
seen traversing the slopes. The Common brassy ringlet Erebia cassioides
and the fawn and white pyralid moth Panstegia aerealis were plentiful
along the track. Several Small mountain ringlets Erebia epiphron were
seen and a large off-white Wave moth Scopula incanata was flushed from
among rocks when we sat down to take in the scenery and identify some
plants.
On the descent we found large amounts of flowering dark mullein
plants once we reached the lower wooded altitudes below Marc (1043
metres) so we stopped off to inspect them for Shark larvae (Cucullia sp.),
finding several dozen caterpillars of the Striped lychnis Cucullia lychnitis.
We returned to the gite via Port de Lers, seeing another Apollo, this
time a male, at the same hairpin bend where we saw the female the day
before. Marbled whites Melanargia galathea were everywhere on the
limestone.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
181
We reached Col d'Agnes on the D8 road {4r47'35"N r22'39"E,
altitude 1570 metres) at 19.00 hrs and pulled the car over to photograph
the backdrop of snowy peaks as the afternoon drew to a close and it
became overcast. A silky black geometrid was seen nectaring at the flower
of a marsh thistle Cirsium palustre by the roadside, along with several
Six-spot burnet moths. The geometrid proved to be a male Crocota
peletieraria, the white female of which we had seen the day before. We
motored on down to the village of Aulus les Bains, with its picturesque
church amid the mountain setting, to return to our gite, a restful meal and
the excitement of another night's light-trapping.
Carcassonne, Quillan and Montsegur
On 28th July we drove out from the gite, leaving the foothills of the
Pyrenees, and motored across the agricultural plains to the ancient walled
city of Carcassonne, surrounded by vineyards. This was purely a sight-
seeing trip and our only entomological note was the finding of a single
forewing of the Knapweed fritillary MeUtaea phoebe in the tourist car
park. Of course the wing may have fallen from the front of any car with
which the butterfly may have collided, the butterfly possibly originating
from many miles away. Carcassone was at one time very much
associated with the Cathars, a religious group, and it was to their
mountain-top stronghold of Montsegur that we next headed, travelling
via, and staying overnight at, the delightful old village of Alet les Bains
near Quillan. On the campsite among mature poplars Populus by the
river we put up some wine-ropes after erecting the tent. They were up by
20.30 hrs and were checked at 22.30 hrs on our return from the
restaurant in the village but no moths were seen at all.
The mountain sides above Quillan were much more exciting for
Lepidoptera. The vegetation was largely parched and dry, with scattered
clumps of evergreen or holm oak Quercus ilex, box Buxus semperuirens,
scrubby pines Pinus sp., a thorny broom-like plant and a few maples Acer
sp., in marked contrast to the lusher vegetation around the gite. We
stopped at a largely empty cleared area which served as a car park cum
picnic site, with a panoramic view, on the Foix road (D117) 4km east of
Nebias, by the junction with the Coudons road (D613) (at approximately
42°53'N 2°09'E). This was a particularly good spot for butterflies, largely
because of a bank of nectar flowers on the disturbed limestone ground at
the edge of the car park, the result of earlier bulldozing no doubt. A
mauve-flowered scabious was abundant, along with marjoram Origanum
vulgare, a stonecrop Sedum sp. and yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata.
182
OCTOBER 1995
Such a concentration of flowers was not seen elsewhere in the
landscape and butterflies finding them were evidently remaining in the
vicinity. We saw several fresh Swallowtails and a Scarce swallowtail,
Silver-washed fritillaries Arg\;ninis paphia, a male Cleopatra brimstone G.
Cleopatra and several of the False grayling Arethusana arethusa. Other
species noted included a Painted lady Cynthia cardui, several Clouded
yellows Colias croceus and Berger's clouded yellows, Bath whites Pontia
daplidice, Marbled whites, Adonis blues Lysandra beUargus, Common
blues Polyommatus icarus and a Brown argus Aricia agestis. This is
definitely a place to return to one day with a light-trap and generator.
Montsegur was nothing short of spectacular. The road winds steeply up
into the mountains and eventually one sees a small fortification perched
up on a pinnacle. It was a hot sunny day on our visit as we squinted up at
this whitish Cathar edifice against a clear blue sky. There is a car park on
the nearest flat ground which hummed with the sound of radiator fans on
the hot engines of recently-parked cars. The final climb is on foot, up a
well-worn path through wonderful steep flower-rich limestone grassland
and scrub. Entomologically this was memorable for the numbers of the
Large blue butterfly Maculinea arion, here occurring in a dusky form
associated with higher altitudes.
Motoring on to visit the limestone cave at Bedeilhac, near Tarascon, we
came across a lovely flower-rich meadow on the north side of the D119
within sight of Le Serat-Maury. It contained much flowering knapweed,
mallow, bird's-foot trefoil and various umbels and was alive with
Common blues, Gatekeepers Pyronia tithonus, Small heaths
Coenonympha pamphilus, Meadow browns and Wall browns
Lasiommata megera and would surely repay greater entomological
investigation. There was nothing to indicate whether or not this meadow
enjoys any special conservation status.
Journeys to and from the Ariege
We travelled pretty directly to and from the Ariege so that we could spend
as much of our time as possible within striking distance of the gite. We
can recommend travelling down the western side of France, from
Cherbourg, and find this is more scenic than some other routes we have
taken south through France. Nevertheless it is a long haul and two days
should be allowed for a pleasant relaxed journey. Quite by chance we
found an excellent campsite for the lepidopterist, which is the right
distance from Cherbourg to break the journey south and this is a tip
worth passing on.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
183
The campsite is situated in oak woodland with good-sized trees, has
excellent facilities and a superb local restaurant within walking distance. It
is called Camping Municipal La Garenne, 17250 Pont L'Abbe, D'Arnoult
(Tel: 49.97.01.46). The campsite is 3km from the N137, from which it is
signposted. At the Restaurant le Porche in the village we had a superb
four course meal of traditional cuisine for 65F (about £8) a head. PW was
too sleepy to do any moth work on this first night in France, due to too
many late nights mothing in Britain before we set off and little sleep on
the ferry, but the site looked very promising for moths and it is a place we
would like to return to.
Our homeward itinerary was different. We left the gite at 15.00 hrs on
31st July, encountering an amazing thunderstorm and heavy downpour
shortly afterwards, during which plane trees Platanus sp. along the
Toulouse ring-road system shed many branches. We camped overnight
on a rather sterile campsite at Puymirol. The site consisted of mown grass
and ornamental hedges of laurel Lauras and privet Ligustrum, with some
poplars, in open farmland. We hung four wine-ropes on the hedges
around the tent and succeeded in attracting the sleek Black copper
underwing Amphip\^ra liuida, an Orache Trachea atriplicis and a Purple
cloud Actinotia poli^odon by our efforts.
We spent our last night within easy striking distance of the ferry, at
Camping a la Ferme, La Cour, 53640 le Ribay, Normandy (c/o R.
Bergue, Tel. 43.03.90.84) which is the best of the three campsites in the
area from the point of view of light-trapping possibilities, with pastures,
hedgerows, mature trees and an old orchard, in contrast to the rather
ornamental campsites we saw nearby. Facilities were basic and might be
stretched if the campsite was busy, but it was empty on the night we were
there. The owner is very friendly and took us to his wine-cellar, where he
makes a prize-winning pommeau from the apples grown in the orchard!
Concluding remarks
There is no doubt that a wide variety of moths exist in the semi-natural
habitats of the Pyrenees. The interest in these records shown by several
French contacts and the scarcity of resident recorders in this large area
indicate that visitors can make a useful contribution towards updating
records and extending coverage. This is equally true of many other
places. There is a growing need for up-to-date species lists for national
and international mapping projects. Readers are strongly urged to publish
their findings so that they are available for other workers and projects in
the host country and can be located through routine literature searches.
184
OCTOBER 1995
now and in the future. As a result of modern computerised indexes,
locating published lists is increasingly easy and the AES Bulletin is already
becoming known as a fertile source of records.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank David and Elaine Corke for so kindly making
available their gite for our use. our neighbours in the surrounding gites for
welcoming us during our stay. Terry Hollingsworth for our mothing night
together at Les Esquirottes. Barry Goater and Manfred Sommerer for help
with some of the moth identifications. Nick Greaterex-Davies for
discussions on the Satyrines following our illustrated talk on this project to
the Huntingdonshire Moth and Butterfly Group. Martin Honey and the
staff at the Natural History Museum. London, for access to the National
Collection. Keith Kirby for identifying our sprig of Quercus pubescens and
Malcolm Rush. English Nature librarian for arranging the loan of various
botanical books.
Table 1. Macro-moths recorded at Les Aberes. Rivierenert. St. Girons.
Dept. Ariege. French Pyrenees. 22nd - 31st July 1994.
(a) Species which are also resident in Britain.
HEPIALIDAE
Map-winged swift Hepialus fusconebulosa (DeGeer)
COSSIDAE
Leopard moth
Zeuzera p[;rina (Linnaeus)
LI^4AC0DIDAE
Festoon
Apoda liniacodes (Hufnagel)
LASIOCAMPIDAE
Oak eggar
Drinker
Lasiocampa quercus (Linnaeus)
Euthrix potatoria (Linnaeus)
DREPANIDAE
Scalloped hook-tip
Oak hook-tip
Ban-ed hook-tip
Scarce hook-tip
Falcaria lacertinaria (Linnaeus)
Drepana binaria (Hufnagel)
D. cuhraria (Fabricius)
Sabra harpagula (Esper)
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
185
THYATIRIDAE
Peach blossom
Th\;atira batis (Linnaeus)
Buff arches
Hahrosyne pyrxtoides (Hufnagel)
Common lutestring
Ochropacha duphhs (Linnaeus)
GEOMETRIDAE
Grass emerald
Pseudoterpna pruinata (Hufnagel)
Large emerald
Geowetra papilionaria (Linnaeus)
Little emerald
Jodis loctcQriQ (Linnaeus)
Mocha
Cyclophora annulata (Schulze)
Maiden's blush
C. punctaria (Linnaeus)
Blood-vein
Tirnandra griseata (Petersen)
Lace border
Scopula ornata (Scopoli)
Small fan-footed wave
Idaea biselata (Hufnagel)
Single-dotted wave
/. dimidiata (Hugnagel)
Riband wave
/. auersata (Linaeus)
Flame carpet
Xanthorhoe designata (Hufnagel)
Red twin-spot carpet
X. spadicearia (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
Dark-barred twin-spot carpet
X. ferrugata (Clerck)
Shaded broad-bar
Scotopteryx chenopodiata (Linnaeus)
Common carpet
Epirrhoe alternata (MuUer)
Galium carpet
E. galiata (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
Beautiful carpet
Mesoleuca albicilJata (Hiibner)
Purple bar
Cosmorhoe oceUata (Linnaeus)
Phoenix
Eulithis prunata (Linnaeus)
Spinach
E. mellinata (Fabricius)
Small phoenix
Ecliptopera silaceata (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
Common marbled carpet
Chloroclysta truncata (Hufnagel)
July highflyer
Hxjdriornena furcata (Thunberg)
Fern
Horisme tersata (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
Pretty chalk carpet
Mehnthia procellata (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Brown scallop
Philereme uetulata (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
Cloaked carpet
Euphyia biangulata (Haworth)
Tawny-speckled pug
E. icterata (Villers)
V-nuo
Ch!orocl\jstis v-Qto (Haworth)
Green pug
C. rectangulata (Linnaeus)
Lesser treble-bar
AploccfQ cfforrnotQ (Guenee)
Clouded magpie
Abraxas syhata (Scopoli)
Clouded border
Lornaspilis rnarginata (Linnaeus)
Peacock
Serniothisa notata (Linnaeus)
Sharp-angled peacock
S. altemaria (Hiibner)
Latticed heath
S. clathrata (Linnaeus)
Barred umber
Plagodis puluewria (Linnaeus)
Scorched wing
P. dolabraria (Linnaeus)
Horse chestnut
PachycneTTtia hippocastanaria (Hiibner)
Brimstone moth
Opisthograptis luteolata (Linnaeus)
August thorn
Ennomos quercinaria (Hufnagel)
Early thorn
Selenia dentaria (Fabricius)
Lunar thorn
S. lunulaha (Hiibner)
Purple thorn
S. tetralunaria (Hufnagel)
Scalloped oak
Crocallis elinguaria (Linnaeus)
Peppered moth
Bistort betuhria (Linnaeus) (typical form)
Waved umber
Mer]ophra abruptaria (Thunberg)
186
OCTOBER 1995
Willow beauty
Mottled beauty
Pale oak beauty
Engrailed
Common wave
Clouded silver
SPHINGIDAE
Small elephant hawk
NOTODONTIDAE
Alder kitten
Lobster moth
Iron prominent
Pebble prominent
Lesser swallow prominent
Swallow prominent
Coxcomb prominent
Pale prominent
LYMANTRIIDAE
Yellow-tail
Black arches
ARCTIIDAE
Rosy footman
Dingy footman
Scarce footman
Buff footman
Four-spotted footman
Garden tiger
Buff ermine
Ruby tiger
NOLIDAE
Kent black arches
Least black arches
NOCTUIDAE
Turnip moth
Dark sword-grass
Flame shoulder
Broad-bordered yellow
underwing
Lesser broad-bordered yellow
underwing
Least yellow underwing
True lover's knot
Purple clay
Setaceous hebrew character
Dotted clay
Triple-spotted clay
Green arches
Dot moth
Peribatodes rhomboidaria (Denis & Schiffermiillerj
Aids repandata (Linnaeus)
Serraca punctinalis (Scopoli)
Ectropis bistortata (Goeze)
Cabera exanthemata (Scopoli)
Lomographa temerata (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
Deilephila porcellus (Linnaeus)
Furcula bicuspis (Borkhausen)
Stauropus fagi (Linnaeus)
Notodonta dromedarius (Linnaeus)
EHgmodonta ziczac (Linnaeus)
Pheosia gnoma (Fabricius)
P. tremula (Clerck)
Ptilodon capucina (Linnaeus)
Pterostoma palpina (Clerck)
Euproctis similis (Fuessly)
L\^mantria monacha (Linnaeus)
Miltochrista miniata (Forster)
Eilerna griseola (Hiibner)
E. complana (Linnaeus)
E. deplana (Esper)
Lithosia quadra (Linnaeus)
Arctia caja (Linnaeus)
Spilosoma luteum (Hufnagel)
Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Linnaeus)
Meganola albula (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
No/a confusalis (Herrich-Shaffer)
Agrotis segetum (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
A. ipsilon (Hufnagel)
Ochropleura plecta (Linnaeus)
Noctua fimbriata (Schreber)
N. janthe (Denis & Schiffermiiller) agg.
N. interjecta (Hubner)
L^'cophotia porphyjria (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
Diarsia brunnea (Denis & Schiffemiiiller)
Xestia c-nigrum (Linnaeus)
X. baja (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
X. ditrapezium (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
Anaplectoides prasina (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Melanchra persicariae (Linnaeus)
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
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Bright-line brown-eye
Lacanobia olemcea (Linnaeus)
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi (Linnaeus)
Campion
Hadena riuulahs (Fabricius)
Brown-line bright-eye
M\;thinnna conigera (Denis & bchitiermuller)
Shark
Cucullia umbratica (Linnaeus)
Alder moth
Acronicta alni (Linnaeus)
Grey dagger
A. psi (Linnaeus)
Knot grass
A. rumicis (Linnaeus)
Marbled beauty
Cr\;phia domestica (Hufnagel)
Copper underwing
Amphipxjra puramidea (Linnaeus)
Bird's wing
Dypterxjgia scabriuscula (Linnaeus)
Small angle shades
Euplexia lucipara (Linnaeus)
Ulive
IpimoTpha subtusa (Denis & SchinermuUer)
Dun-bar
Cosmia trapezina (Linnaeus)
Light arches
A / /T~\ • O O \-'££ "11 \
Apamea /imoxy/ea (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Slender brindle
A. scolopacina (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
Rustic
tioplodrma blanda (Denis & bchiitermuUer)
Marbled white-spot
T '±1 !• / T T r 1 \
Litnacodia pygarga (Hufnagel)
Scarce silver-lines
Bena prasinana (Linnaeus)
Green silver-lines
Pseudoips fagana (Fabricius)
Nut-tree tussock
Colocasia cor\;h (Linnaeus)
Burnished brass
Diachrysia chrxjsitis (Linnaeus)
Beautiful golden Y
Autographa puicnrma (Haworth)
Plain golden Y
A. jota (Linnaeus)
Gold spangle
A / J. /r^ * O O 1 '££ "11 \
A. bractea (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Dark spectacle
Abrostoia tngemina (Werneburg)
Light crimson underwing
Catocala promissa (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Small purpled-barred
nr J. J. - • I • / /^i 1 \
Ph{;tometra umdaria (Clerck)
Straw dot
Rivula sericealis (Scopoli)
Beautiful snout
H\;pena crassalis (Fabricius)
Snout
H. proboscidalis (Linnaeus)
Fan-foot
Herminia tarsipennalis (Treitschke)
Clay fan-foot
ParacolcDC dehualis (Hiibner)
Olive crescent
Tristateles emortualis (Denis & Schiffermuller)
(b) Species not resident
LASIOCAMPIDAE
DREPANIDAE
Dusky hook-tip
GEOMETRIDAE
Blair's mocha
SPHINGIDAE
Convolvulus hawk
Humming-bird hawk
Striped hawk
NOTODONTIDAE
Dusky marbled brown
in the British Isles.
Odonestis pruni (Linnaeus)
Drepana curuatula (Borkhausen) M
Ci)clophom puppillaria (Hiibner) M
Agrius convolvuU (Linnaeus) M
Macroglossum steUatarum (Linnaeus) M
Hy/es lineata (Fabricius) M
Harp\;ia milhaurseri (Fabricius) M
Gluphisia crenata (Esper) M
188
OCTOBER 1995
THAUMETOPOEIDAE
Pine processionary
LYMANTRIIDAE
Black V moth
Gypsy moth
ARCTIIDAE
NOCTUIDAE
Purple cloud
White-point
White-speck
Tree-lichen beauty
Latin
Small mottled willow
Silver Y
Dewick's plusia
Jubilee fan-foot
Thaumetopoea pifyocampa (D. & S.) M
Arctornis l-nigrum (Muller) M
L\;mantria dispar (Linnaeus) M
Paidia marina (Hiibner)
Actinotia polyodon (Clerck) M
Mythimna albipuncta (D. & S.) M
M. unipuncta (Haworth) M
Cryphia algae (Fabricius) M
Callopistha juuentina (Stoll) M
Spodoptera exigua (Hiibner) M
Autographa gamma (Linnaeus) M
Macdunnoughia confusa (Stephens) M
Ephesia fulminea (Scopoli)
Deltotes candidula (D. & S.)
Herminia lunalis (Scopoli) M
M = recorded as a migrant to Britain.
Table 2. Species list for Les Esquirottes (42°55'N 0°57'30"E), Illartein,
Foret Domaniale de Bellongue Sud, Castillon-en-Couserons, Ariege,
France, 30th July 1994.
COSSIDAE
Leopard moth
LASIOCAMPIDAE
Lackey
Oak eggar
DREPANIDAE
Oak hook-tip
Dusky hook-tip
THYATIRIDAE
Peach blossom
Buff arches
Common lutestring
GEOMETRIDAE
Little emerald
Birch mocha
Maiden's blush
Riband wave
Flame carpet
Zeuzera pyrina (Linnaeus)
Malacosma neustria (Linnaeus)
Lasiocampa quercus (Linnaeus)
Drepana binaria (Hufnagel)
D. cuwatula ((Borkhausen)
Thyatira batis (Linnaeus)
Habrosyne pyritoides (Hufnagel)
Ochropacha duplaris (Linnaeus)
Jodis lactearia (Linnaeus)
Cydophora albipunctata (Hufnagel)
C. punctaria (Linnaeus)
Idaea auersata (Linaeus)
Xanthorhoe designata (Hufnagel)
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
189
Red twin-spot carpet
Shaded broad-bar
Common carpet
Yellow shell
Netted carpet
July highflyer
Fern
Tawny-speckled pug
V-pug
Clouded border
Barred umber
Scorched wing
Brimstone moth
Dark bordered beauty
August thorn
Early thorn
Willow beauty
Common white wave
Clouded silver
NOTODONTIDAE
Alder kitten
Iron prominent
Lesser swallow prominent
LYMANTRIIDAE
Yellow-tail
ARCTIIDAE
Rosy footman
Dingy footman
Buff footman
Four-spotted footman
Ruby tiger
NOCTUIDAE
Flame shoulder
Lesser broad-bordered yellow
underwing
True lover's knot
Purple clay
Setaceous hebrew character
Double square-spot
Green arches
White-speck
Miller
Coronet
Copper underwing
Latin
Slender brindie
Bordered straw
Marbled white-spot
X. spadicearia (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
Scotopteryx chenopodiata (Linnaeus)
Epirrhoe alternata (MuUer)
Camptogramma bilineata (Linnaeus)
Eustroma reticulata (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
Hijdriomena furcata (Thunberg)
Horisme tersata (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Eupithecia icterata (Villers)
Chloroclxjstis u-ata (Haworth)
Lomaspilis marginata (Linnaeus)
Plagodis pulueraria (Linnaeus)
P. dolabraria (Linnaeus)
Opisthograptis luteolata (Linnaeus)
Epione paralellaria (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Ennomos quercinaria (Hufnagel)
Selenia dentaria (Fabricius)
Peribatodes rhomboidaria (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Cabera pusaria (Linnaeus)
Lomographa temerata (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Gnophos fuhatus (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Furcula bicuspis (Borkhausen)
Notodonta dromedarius (Linnaeus)
Pheosia gnoma (Fabricius)
Dr\jmor]ia querna (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Euproctis simihs (Fuessly)
Miltochrista miniata (Forster)
Eilema griseola (Hubner)
E. deplana (Esper)
Lithosia quadra (Linnaeus)
Phragmatobia fuliginosa (Linnaeus)
Ochropleura plecta (Linnaeus)
Noctua janthe (Denis & Schiffermuller)
L\;cophotia porphi;ria (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Diarsia brunnea (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Xestia c-nigrun] (Linnaeus)
X. triangulum (Hufnagel)
Anaplectoides prasina (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Mi;thimna unipuncta (Haworth)
Acronicta leporina (Linnaeus)
Craniophora Hgustri (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Amphipxjra pxjramidea (Linnaeus)
Pol\;phaenis sericata (Esper)
Callopistria juuentina (Stoll)
Apamea scolopacina (Esper)
Heliothis peltigera (Denis & Schiffermiiller)
Lithacodia px^garga (Hufnagel)
190
OCTOBER 1995
Scarce silver-lines
Green silver-lines
Light crimson underwing
Small purpled-barred
plus the distinctive pyralids
and Mother of pead
Bena pmsinana (Linnaeus)
Pseudoips fagana (Fabricius)
Catocala promissa (Denis & Schiffermtiller)
Ph];tometra uihdaria (Clerck)
Uresiphita poli^gonalis (Denis & Schiffermuller)
Pleuropfya ruralis (Scopoli)
REFERENCES
Goater, B. (1986). A new technique of sugaring. Entomohgisfs Rec. J. Var. 98: 37.
Kirby, W.F. (1903). The butterflies and moths of Europe. Cassell, London.
Novak, I. (1980). Afield guide in colour to butterflies and moths. Octopus, London.
Polunin, O. & Huxley, A. (1988). Flowers of the Mediterranean. 2nd Edition. Hogarth press,
London.
Polunin, O. & Smythies, B.E. (1973). Flowers of south-west Europe - afield guide. Oxford
University Press, London.
Reichholf-Riehm, H. (1991). Field guide to butterflies and moths of Britain and Europe.
Crowood, Swindon.
Waring, P. (1995). "Wine-roping" for moths. Butterfly Conservation News 60.
BUTTERFLY ADAPTATION TO UNNATURAL HABITATS IN
THE PHILIPPINES
by Peter B. Hardy (9436)
10 Dudley Road, Sale, Cheshire,
and
Grace C. Abejuela
43 Rosal Street, Pasaij City, Phillipines.
Cities do not spring to mind as ideal butterfly habitats. Certainly they do
not hold anything like the diversity of virgin forest. Nevertheless, studies of
the more tolerant species, that are able to exploit them, can be rewarding.
In Britain in recent years, many areas in and around cities have
become wildlife havens. Unlike in the wider countryside, where as is all
too well known most habitats outside nature reserves have been severely
degraded by modern intensive farming, forestry, mineral extraction and
the like. Often in and around cities the reverse has been true, and in and
around Manchester (PBH's home area), for instance, abandonment of
industry has allowed many sites to establish where butterflies have been
able to form strong colonies - such as river valleys, abandoned railway
lines and yards, abandoned collieries, former rubbish tips and slag heaps;
far more public open space exists in and around the city and it is easily
possible to walk all day on a near-infinite network of public footpaths
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
191
Regrettably these concepts are almost unknown in tropical countries
such as the Philippines. The degradation of the countryside has been just
as severe but the concepts of allowing wildlife habitat to regenerate in and
around cities and provision of walkways are virtually unknown, thus
opportunities for study are much more limited. Nevertheless we feel that
worthwhile studies on butterflies tolerant of the urban fringe can be made,
even in and around the city of Manila.
In the Nayong Filipino (Philippine Village) park, a site laid out primarily
as a formal parkland around a small artificial lake, for the benefit of tourists
and family parties and adjacent to the extensive mown grass areas of
Manila airport, during several visits we have recorded up to seventeen
species in an afternoon (Papilio demoleus, Appias lib\;thea, Leptosia nina,
Catopsilia pomona, Eurema hecabe, Junonia almana, J. hedonia, J.
lemonias, Mxjcalesis mineus, Prosotas nora, Chilades pandava (Plate 95Q,
Fig. 1), Zizina otis (Plate 95Q, Fig. 2), Zizeeria karsandra (Plate 95Q, Fig.
3), Zizula /ly/ax, Aeromachus plumbeola, Pelopidas matthias and
Taractrocera luzonensis). Some clearly breed in the scraps of rough
grassland , e.g. the Grass blues and Hesperiids, particularly the
extraordinary-coloured (silvery-blue) A. plumbeola, a Philippines endemic.
We found C. pandava, the Plains cupid, in great abundance in
December 1994 and April 1995, breeding on young shoots of ornamental
pitogo palms (Cijcas rumpii) in the formal shrubberies in the park (Plate
95Q, Fig. 1). We have also found this species breeding on similar palms
bordering the very formal lawns of the Coconut Palace hotel beside
Manila Bay, Pasay.
One or more of the three species of Grass blues (Z otis, Z. karsandra
and Z. hy/ax), particularly the first two, are even more adaptable. Most
scraps of greenery, right to the city centre, can produce one or other of
these species. They have different hostplants - Z. otis mainly utilises
leguminous plants (Fabaceae) and the main host of Z. karsandra is
Amaranthus viridis (Amaranthaceae). Z otis can apparently breed even
on severely mown lawns, on a small legume in the mown grass. On 3rd
May 1995 we watched Z. karsandra ovipositing on weedy Amaranthus at
a demolition site in Intramuros, near the centre of Manila.
In Fort Santiago, Intramuros, a well-known historic and tourist site, on
3rd May 1995 we found evidence of breeding Papilio demoleus (the
Lime butterfly) on a row of five small ornamental Citrus trees (Rutaceae)
(Plate 95Q, Fig. 4); again, though it provides a small scrap of greenery in
a densely populated urban area, this site is very formally laid out and
very far removed from a natural habitat.
192
OCTOBER 1995
Another, quite different, location where we had an opportunity to
assess the adaptability of certain butterflies was King's Paradise, a very
small offshore island near Brookes Point, Palawan, in the early stages of
being developed as a holiday complex by the owner of the Puerto
Princesa airport hotel. At the time of our visit, in late April 1995, the
entire natural vegetation of the island's interior had either been replaced
by coconut palms or was in a state of severe disturbance due to further
earth-moving work which had recently damaged the understory. A small
strip of mangrove still fringed some of the shore. During three days on the
island we saw four species of butterfly - Hebomoia glaucippe (1), P.
demoleus (max. 2), both species nectaring on ornamental bougainvillea
bushes, Z. karsandra and Danaus chrysippus. Following our seeing a
female D. chr\;sippus ovipositing on a tiny, stunted plant of Asclepias
(Plate 95R, Fig. 5), a single shoot no more than two feet high, and finding
a single half-grown larva on the same plant, we searched a number of
larger bushes planted near the shore-line. We found no further ova or
larvae, but large numbers of pupae - however on close examination
every one we found had been sucked dry. From a small hole pierced in
each one we believe the culprits to have been a species of red-and-black
Hemipteran, which were very abundant on the bushes (Plate 95R. Fig.
6). Clearly, as the butterfly continued to breed, some pupae must have
survived but the survival rate must have been very low. We suggest that
the ovipositing female may have preferentially selected the very stunted
hostplant as being less likely than the larger bushes to harbour predators.
However it appeared unlikely that it would have provided enough foliage
for the larvae to reach maturity.
De Jong and Treadaway (1993) suggest that less than 10% of the
forest cover of thirty years ago now remains in the Philippines, and fear
that at the present rate of continuing deforestation the country will be
without true forest shortly after the turn of the century. It is therefore
refreshing that some butterflies are able to adapt to the changed
environment and thus to continue to exist.
Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge the help given by C.G. ("Trig") Treadaway in
identification of Philippine butterflies.
REFERENCES
Corbet. A.S. and Pendlebury. H.M.. revised by Eliot. J.N. (1992). The Butterflies of the
Mala\; Peninsula, 4th edition. Malayan Nature Society. Kuala Lumpar.
De Jong, R. and Treadaway, C.G. (1993). The Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera) of the Philippines.
Zoologische Verhandelingen, Leiden.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
193
A NOTE ON THE SCARLET TIGER MOTH (CALLIMORPHA
DOMiNULA) AT NEWNHAM-ON-SEVERN
by Don McNamara (5573)
6 Fulham Close, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex UBIO OSU.
Some further thoughts on the discovery of a small group of dominula
larvae in my late parents' garden in Newnham-on-Severn,
Gloucestershire.
It is generally accepted that Scarlet tigers form discrete colonies. As this
moth has been and still is the subject of much on-going research with
substantial amounts of literature on the subject it is curious that there is
little written evidence regarding the foundation of new colonies. (I am not
suggesting that fifteen larvae constitute a colony.)
The females tend to stay in the region where they hatch with the
attendant males coming to the females. It is likely that there is some sort
of "spill over" to adjacent suitable areas or that airborne females may be
blown away from their usual habitat.
I have searched the surrounding area for up to half a mile and cannot
find any likely spots where they could occur although comfrey
(S\;mph\;tum sp.) is quite plentiful but not in any great batches. Nettles
and brambles are everywhere of course, and when rearing the moths in
captivity I always use these as foodplant but it is usually comfrey which
seems to attract them.
There might be a clue, however, as the river Severn is close by and the
moth is known to frequent damp river banks - although here the water is
a mixture of salt and sweet which may have a bearing on its ecology. A
bit more exploring is obviously necessary.
I mentioned in a previous article that abs. medionigra or bimacuh
were worth looking out for but these only appear in a very few colonies,
in particular the "famous" Cothill, Berkshire colony - the chances of this
are remote.
Also, I mentioned the possibility of the yellow form being found, to
which I referred as rossica. However, having obtained a copy of the
Proceedings and Transactions of the South London Entomological and
Natural History Societx; (1942-43) part I: an extremely thorough survey of
this moth by H.B.D. Kettlewell points out that rossica is a distinct species,
namely Panaxia rossica: Kolenati, which occurs in "Russia and
Transcaucasia" .
194
OCTOBER 1995
I discussed this with some colleagues at the October AES Exhibition.
1994 'mainly in the pub across the road) and although British examples
do exist they ought to be referred to possibly as crocea (but H.B.D. refers
to forewings only being yellow i. Lutea or lutescens seem to fit the
specimens in my collection fi'om "Hants 1906" and "Ringwood 1898".
ahhough in Bernard Skinner's book. Moths of the British Isles, the form is
refen-ed to as ab. rossica.
Any help on this would be appreciated. - •
A DINGY SKIPPER IN DERBYSHIRE IN AUGUST
by RoiA. Frost (10011)
66 St. LGwrence Rocd Sonh WingfieldL Chesterfield Derbyshire S42 5LL.
In Derbyshire the Dingy skipper (Eri'rinis tages) has always been
considered univoltine. the flight period usually being from mid-May to
late June. Exn-eme dates in the last ten years were 4th May 1984 and
13th July 1985. The largest colony in the county is probably at Clough
Wood, near Darley Bridge, where on 1st June 1994 I counted 109 on
sparsely-vegetated, south-facing spoil heaps. Returning to the site on
22nd August. I was very surprised to find an immaculate Dingy skipper,
which constitutes the first evidence of a second brood in the county.
Thomas and Lewington in The Butterflies of Britain arid Ireland (1991)
state that there may be a second brood in August after a hot summer but
only in the warmest southern sites.
DARK GREEN FRITILLARY IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
by Cbns Gardiner (5249)
A single female of the Dark green fritillan,'. Argynnis aglaja. was seen at
Castor Hanglands National Nature Reserve on 14th August 1994.
The bunerfly was well worn, and settled regularly, enabling positive
identification to be made as well as allowing itself to be photographed.
This species is notably scarce or absent from the east Midland counties
and there are no resident populations in Northamptonshire. However, the
species is a noted wanderer on occasions and may be have come from
the Norfolk Coast with a spell of easterly winds.
At Castor it was last recorded in the 1950s and seemingly disappeared
soon after the woodland was clear-felled in 1952 53. apart from another
stray singleton noted in 1988.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
195
MOTH SIGHTINGS IN 1994
by Chris Raper (7540)
22 Beech Road, Purley-on-Thames, Reading, Berkshire RG8 8DS.
Species: Meganola albula (Denis & Schiffermiilier) "Kent black arches"
Location: Hartsiock Nature Reserve, Goring, Oxfordshire.
SU 618795
Date: 29.6.94
Recorder: Mr CM. Raper, 22 Beech Road, Purley-on-Thames, Reading,
Berkshire
Species: Heliothis peltigera (Denis & Schiffermiilier) "Bordered straw"
Location: Beech Road, Purley-on-Thames, Reading, Berkshire
SU 655762
Date: 7.9.94
Recorder: (as above)
The first was taken using a Heath trap and the second at a kitchen
window. Specimens were taken and the identifications have been
confirmed by Brian Baker (25 Matlock Road, Caversham, Reading).
The above records will be forwarded to the Entomologist's Record,
John Campbell at the Oxford Natural History Museum, Brian Baker,
BBONT and Paul Waring.
It seems to have been a good year for migrants - several Clouded
yellows were seen on the Downs this year and I have caught more
migratory moths than I would normally. Other species new to me were
the Cloaked minor and Rush veneer. Have other recorders noticed the
same?
PURPLE THORN RECORDS IN STAFFORDSHIRE
by Jan Koryszko (6089)
On 24th July 1994, Mr Derek Heath caught a Purple thorn, (Se/en/a
tetralunaria) in his garden at the Meir. Then, on 1st August 1994, I myself
took a single specimen in Weston Sprink while beating trees and shrubs.
This is a new species to our area, with Staffordshire records being Burnt
Wood, Copmere, Cannock Chase, Blythe Bridge Mill, Bagots Wood,
Trentham and Loynton Moss. It is a local and uncommon species in the
county.
196
OCTOBER 1995
ENTOMOLOGY NOTE FROM GLASGOW
by Frank McCann (6291)
On 20th August I went to look for Pebble prominent larvae at Glen Lusset
Park, Old Kilpatrick which is situated west of Glasgow near the Clyde
estuary. I had just arrived at the park and was looking at a nettle patch
when I observed a caterpillar which looked almost full-grown, feeding on
a plant quite high up on the stem. I took it from the nettle and put it with
some leaves into a container. Unfortunately I didn't find any Pebble
prominent larvae which I know occur there on sallows.
The larva I found on the nettles, from the descriptions in my
entomology books, seems to be the Burnished brass. It is a nice-looking
caterpillar and is green with white and yellow markings on the back and
sides respectively.
About a week later I found another Burnished brass caterpillar, on
nettle again, in a narrow road leading up to the village of Swinton, about
a mile or so east of home. Both larvae have since pupated in peat-filled
flowerpots.
I was along that road again on 3rd September, and on a plant which
looked like a variety of persicaria I found a caterpillar which is green in
colour and has a velvety appearance and also has v shaped marks along
its back which are quite faint. Its head is darker green and seems
retractable. It was resting on the upper surface of the persicaria leaf low
down neat the ground. I put it an a flower pot with some of its foodplant
and also peat for pupation. The caterpillar looks more than half-grown.
I also caught two species of smallish moths, one of which is the Garden
carpet. I have them in small containers with various foodplants just in
case they are females.
I also found a Grey dagger, about half-grown and a green coloured
Geometer larva on hawthorn.
SMALL YELLOW WAVE RECORD
by Jan Kor\jszko (6089)
On 26th June 1994 while beating on Millford Common, Staffordshire. I
caught a Small yellow wave (Hi;drelia flammeolaria) . It has been
recorded in the nearby Cannock Chase, but is very local. Other
Staffordshire records are, Burnt Wood, Belmont. Madeley, Baltedey
Heath, Chartley Moss, and Loynton Moss, where I saw it in 1986.
OCTOBER 1995
COLOUR SECTION
COLOUR SECTION
OCTOBER 1995
OCTOBER 1995
COLOUR SECTION
mm
Fig. 9. A pair of T. chumash, the female insect is brown and the male is green.
Fig. 10. A female T. chumash feeding on Ceanothus flowers.
PLATE 95S
COLOUR SECTION
OCTOBER 1995
Fig. 11. A male T. podura.
Fig. 12. A camouHaged female nymph of 7. californicum on Picea glauca.
PLATE 95T
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
197
OBSERVATIONS ON THE APPEARANCE AND BEHAVIOUR
OF SPECIES OF THE STICK-INSECT GENUS TIMEMA
SCUDDER (PHASMIDA: TIMEMATODEA)
by Greg Bartman
231 Roycroft Avenue, Long Beach, California 90803, USA.
and
PaulD. Brock (4792)
"Papillon", 40 Thomdike Road, Slough SL2 ISR.
Introduction
The Order Phasmida, the stick- and leaf-insects, comprises many unusual
insects. The surprising behaviour of the primitive stick-insect genus
Timema Scudder (12 species from the USA and Mexico - the only
representatives of the suborder Timematodea), sets them apart from other
phasmids, in addition to conventional morphological differences.
Timemas are amongst the smallest phasmids, measuring from less than
12mm to 28mm. Females are always longer than males. Unique
characteristics separating them from other phasmids (Kristensen, 1975),
include:
Tarsi three-segmented (five-segmented in all other species)
Abdominal tergum 1 is distinctly separated from the metatergum
Male subgenital plate is not transversely divided, the male abdominal
segment 10 does not extend beyond the subgenital plate and its
ventral side is unsclerotized
The cerci of males have characteristic developments, in the form of
robust looking appendages curved towards each other distally;
their shape is useful to assist in distinguishing species.
Vickery's comprehensive revision of the genus Timema (1993) gives
some basic information on the few behavioural aspects published,
particularly observations by Gustafson (1966) on Timema californicum
(Scudder). Vickery helpfully mentions a number of foodplants, although
their feeding behaviour in the wild extends to many other plants. Their
behaviour is more elaborate than recorded and Brock (1994) referred to
the jumping ability of Timema chumash Hebard, unique amongst
phasmids.
The observations which follow are based on four Californian species
collected by beating tray from March 1993 to June 1995. Timema are
also known from mountainous parts of Nevada, Arizona and Baja
California in Mexico. Specimens have been observed in captivity to gain
further knowledge.
198
OCTOBER 1995
General behaviour
Although many Timemas may be found on the same bush, they do not
like to come into contact with one another except during mating. During
the day they spend most of the time resting under a leaf with legs tucked in
and antennae pointed forward and in. There is limited activity during the
day, including occasional feeding and mating, but these activities mostly
take place at night. Timemas walk quickly across branches and leaves
feeling with their long antennae. If one meets another, they will raise their
thoraxes up and down, pushing the other with their heads, and curling
their abdomen up. Adult females are nearly always mounted by males,
although at least two species of Timema breed partheno-genetically.
Defensive behaviour
1. Odour
An acrid odour is immediately released by many Timema specimens
when disturbed; this has been noticed in collecting T. podura Strohecker
and observed in T. calif ornicum, with the odiferous gland present on the
tergite of the prothorax (Henry, 1937). In captivity 7. chumash also emit
an odour, hardly noticeable in the wild.
2. Jumping abiliti;
Nymphs and occasionally adults of T. chumash, especially before females
become bulky with eggs, raise their abdomen in a similar manner to
earwigs and jump several centimetres before attempting to make an
escape by running away. Jumping ability is unique behaviour in
phasmids and often a secondary defence i.e. when these insects are
beaten from their foodplants, they may often drop to the ground, curl the
thorax inward to protect the head and tuck in the antennae and legs for
several seconds. Upon a perceived second threat they will uncoil raise
their abdomens and jump.
Newly hatched nymphs of T. chumash, just a few millimetres in length,
jump several times higher than their own height, a remarkable feat which
makes cleaning them out very difficult.
Jumping ability does not appear to be a major feature with other species
examined although T. californicum exhibits a limited jumping ability.
3. Curling up
This type of death-feigning ability has been briefly mentioned above -
newly hatched nymphs of T. chumash are masters at this feat, curling up
in a ball for a few minutes, instead of, but sometimes before, or after,
jumping.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
199
4. Active escape
T. podura is arguably the best runner observed, although other species
are not far behind - T. cristinae Vickery and T. chumash, the latter
species often running after the jumping behaviour mentioned above. The
usual course of action is to release an odour and run away to find cover,
perhaps underneath a rock or leaves, and certainly away from sunlight.
Extreme heat will kill Timemas which have a short lifespan and they
favour shady parts of bushes or trees, often at high altitude in
mountainous zones. Males are the better runners of the two sexes and
paired couples will also make a run for it. By comparison, T. californicum
are rather docile when dislodged from foodplants.
Mating behaviour
Adults are often found paired up and in the case of T. chumash mating
typically begins in May (although this can vary, depending on altitude
and locality), and the following observations relate to this species.
Although paired, the male is usually only mounted on the female, not
copulating (Plate 95S, Fig. 9), but when ready to mate he turns his
abdomen under the female's right side. The female raises her abdomen
and tilts it slightly to the right with the operculum opened. Copulation
may take place for several hours, which does not prevent both sexes from
moving around and eating (usually during darkness). The male eats by
leaning over the front of his mate or on one side or the other, assuming
the positioning allow for this. He rarely dismounts, risking another male
mounting her. After mating, the male continues to remain mounted on
the female, hence ensuring his genes are passed on. More males than
females of T. chumash were observed in the wild in 1993 and 1994,
although females were commoner in 1995.
If another male approaches a pair, males will fight for position by
pushing each other with their heads. The mounted male will position
himself to block the other male from mounting, and both males display
by raising their abdomens. If a male becomes dislodged, the victor takes
its place by mounting the female. On occasions in captivity, males have
been observed fighting so vigorously that the female will walk away and
be mounted by another suitor. The fighting only lasts a few seconds and
does not appear to result in any injury.
If the female is not adult and a male attempts to mount her, she will
fend him off.
200
OCTOBER 1995
Foodplants
* = not recorded in Vickery (1993).
T. chumash * (Plate 95S, Fig. 10)
Locality: Mt. Baldy, San Gabriel Mts. Los Angeles Co. California (4527ft).
March 1993, many other dates in 1993, 1994 '^Bartman) and 29th May
1995 - mainly large nymphs and a few adults (Bartman & Brock).
Manzanita ^Arctostaph\;lous glouca: Verba Santa "^'Erudiction trichocalijx:
Oaks Quercus agrifoUa, Q. dumosa; Ceanothus sp. and others (being
identified).
Feeding behaviour: nymphs and adults favour new growth leaves, often
chewing at the node of a leaf stem, severing the leaf. The petioles are
also chewed. They will eat bark of twigs or branches e.g. Quercus. In
captivity, they are very fond of water droplets and it is presumed they
feed on dew in the wild, although this has not been observed. A most
unusual observation is their sense of smell - flowers of Ceanothus sp.
cultivated in England are devoured within seconds of being placed in
their container!
T. podura * (Plate 95T, Fig. 11)
Locality: (1) San Jacinto Mts, Riverside Co, California - 1994 (Bartman);
adults, 30th May 1995 (Bartman & Brock); (2) Santa Barbara County,
California, April 1995 (Dennis Sheridan).
Chamise Adenostoma /ascicu/atum (1 &2): *A. sparsifolium (1).
T. cahfornicum * (Plate 95T, Fig. 12)
Locality: San Bernardino Mts, San Bernardino Co. California (5000ft),
nymphs, 28th May 1995 (Bartman & Brock).
White spruce '^Picea glauca. In captivity accepts Ceanothus. Quercus sp.
and Pinus sp.
Feeding behaviour: readily eats bark. Sometimes only the top surface of
pine needles are eaten.
7. cristinae
Localities: Paradise and Vista Point. Santa Ynez Mts. Santa Barbara Co.
California (approx. 1000ft). adults. 1st June 1995 (Brock).
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
201
Chamise Adenostoma fasciculatum, ^Quercus sp. (x2). In captivity
accepts Ceanothus.
Note: found rather late in the year, some specimens apparently
parasitised, with black patches on bodies.
Colour variation
Vickery referred to some degree of colour variation, although these can
be extreme and the following observations of wild caught specimens are
worthy of mention:
T. caHfornicum Nymphs: three distinct colour forms, which are broadly
similar to adults:
- green, with pale cream stripes, two side stripes and one central stripe
(very closely matching the underside of Picea glauca needles, an excellent
camouflage).
- brown, with blackish blotches and markings, notably "V" shape on
prothorax (a thinner line), mesothorax and metathorax.
- light-brown.
Underside of all specimens lighter.
T. chumash
- usually green or brown, with green form predominant; dotted with very
small pale raised spots, appearing speckled. Yellow or cream side stripes.
Green usually the same shade of light green , but may be bluish green.
Underside typically whitish.
T. podura
- sometimes entirely grey colonies, but at San Jacinto locality in 1995 (15
males, 14 females) found in distinct colour forms:
- male black patches and lines on grey background. Black patches on
base of femora. Underside light-grey.
- male as above on a dark brown background.
- male as above on a reddish-brown background.
- male (one only) with black dots and blotches most conspicuous on
mesothorax and metathorax.
- females as in male colour forms, but plain green females predominant.
T. cristinae
All typical green colour form, with yellow side stripes in female.
202
OCTOBER 1995
Eggs
Eggs laid by T. chumash in 1993 (dropped to the ground and sometimes
mixed with debris/frass) were measured with a compound microscope
which was calibrated to: 1 ocular unit = 11.1m at 40x, 1000m = 1mm.
Dimensions: width 0.89mm-1.06mm. Average 0.99mm. n-30
length 1.75mm-2.08mm. Average 1.88mm. n=30
Description: Operculum flat with raised rim extending all the way around.
Capsule pale yellow (virtually transparent) to dark brown. Micropylar
plate a slightly darkened brown triangular region below operculum, with
no obvious median line (kindly pointed out to the authors by J.T. Clark
Sellick, a specialist on phasmid eggs, as this feature was not clear). The
"micropile" referred to by Henry (1937) presumably relates to a knob at
the posterior end of the capsule, with the "hard collar" representing the
rim of the operculum. Some eggs changed colour and dented in;
apparently infertile. This proved to be the case as only approximately
30% of the eggs hatched the following January. These failed to mature,
with the nymphs showing little interest in the foodplants provided,
possibly because of the hard leaves available in January and/or lack of
new leaves.
Dorsal outline of eggs of Timema chumash.
1. Egg with debris removed.
2. Operculum of same.
3. Egg coated with soil typical example with capitulum-like structure and
extension at base.
4. Egg coated with soil, lacking capitulum-like structure and tapered at base,
without extension.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
203
Eggs laid in 1995 were surprisingly rather different in appearance, after
adults were provided with soil from California to lay their eggs. The eggs,
coated with soil that the female ingests and uses during oviposition, now
has a raised capitulum-like structure in many instances (approximately
80%) and the whole egg is coated with hardened soil, including unusual
colours present in some soil particles. The egg capsule is tapered towards
the base, often with an extension at the base. Lengths of capsule
extended to approximately 2.5mm. As an experiment, removed soil
resulted in eggs being laid after several days as described for 1993. Eggs
are laid in the soil, on the floor of the container, or if slightly sticky,
attached to the netting of its container or leaves, apparently laid in
batches.
Similar, uncoated eggs of 7. podura and coated eggs of T. cristinae
have been inspected, but it is understood these are being described
elsewhere (C. Sandoval, personal correspondence).
Conclusion
Not only is the jumping ability of T. chumash (and to a lesser extent other
species) unique in phasmids, but behaviour in general is elaborate. The
ability to curl up in a ball may also be unique, along with the strange egg
laying behaviour, fully endorsing the Timemas ranking in a separate
suborder.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Jerri Larsson (California, USA) for
suggesting a suitable locality where they found Timema californicum and
Patrick Marquez (California, USA) for his enthusiastic help in collecting
Timema chumash on 29th May 1995.
REFERENCES
Brock, P.D. (1994). Preliminary notes on the remarkable genus Timema Scudder. The
Phasmid Stud\; Group Newsletter 58: 5.
Gustafson, J.F. (1966). Biological Observations on Timema californica (Phasmoidea:
Phasmidae). Annals Entomological Sociefy of America 59: 59-61.
Henry, L.M. (1937). Biological Observations on Timema californica. Pan Pacific
Entorhologist. 13(3): 137-141.
Kristensen, S.P. (1975). The phylogeny of hexapod "orders". A critical review of recent
accounts. Zeitschift fur Zoologie, S\;stematik und Euolutionsforschung 13: 1-44.
Vickery, V.R. (1993). Revision of Timema Scudder (Phasmatoptera: Timematodea)
including three new species. The Canadian Entomologist 125: 657-692.
204
OCTOBER 1995
THE BROWN ARGUS (ARICIA AGESTIS) IN
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
by Peter Tehhutt {7941}
112 Broadwax; East, Abington, Northamptonshire NN3 2PR.
This delightful little butterfly was last recorded in Northants during 1959.
There were several reported instances after then, but since the county
boundaries have changed the relevant site is no longer part of Northants,
something that occasionally causes confusion when reviewing old
records.
During early June 1994 Douglas Goddard, the local County Recorder
of butterflies, photographed a male Brown argus at a site in the
Rockingham Forest district. A return visit a Uttle later in the month
revealed a rather worn male very near to where he first recorded this
species. A very close study of his photographic evidence reveals that it is
quite possibly the same insect, although of course one cannot be
absolutely certain of this fact. Due to the territorial behaviour of the males
it is a distinct possibility, and the markings were as near identical as one
could get.
As word spread of this sighting he received several other reports of odd
specimens from different sites. As there was a possibility of mistaken
identification of small dark examples of the female Common blue, it was
decided to check out some of these areas when the second brood was on
the wing. As they are usually more plentiful in August it was felt that it
should not be too hard to obtain confirmation of their presence.
1 decided to visit the Rockingham Forest district site on 21st August. A
track enters this site about half way along it, and whereas Douglas turned
right to see his male specimen I decided, for some unknown reason, to
turn left. This site contains Common blues [Polyommatus icarus) which
were now out in very good numbers, but 1 had not gone twenty paces
when something caught my eye that was different. A rather fine male
Brown argus was perched on a blade of grass sunning himself. Within ten
yards a rather worn male was seen, and two more a little further on. The
first 150 yards revealed nine different individuals, some very fresh and
others quite worn, but all males, which seemed to indicate that 1 has still
not located the main population.
Some 100 yards further on I saw two in flight together, both of which
settled in the same small area. This seemed more promising and a careful
approach revealed the first female, with a male in attendance. She had
probably already paired and rebuffed all his eager advances. After a few
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
205
minutes he took the hint and, with a rather dejected look, flew to a
prominent position in the tall grasses to try his luck with the next passing
female.
It took me nearly an hour and a half to cover the next 100 yards or so.
as I watched approximately 80 more of these lively and inquisitive insects
going about their business. Probably nor more than ten females were
seen, but as all of these were in good condition I would hazard a guess
that there were plenty more to come.
A call from Douglas at 5pm the next day. soon found us travelling to
the south of the county where several Clouded yellows (Cohas croceus)
were seen the previous day. Although we did not see these we did find
several roosting Brown arguses. On our return to Northampton we visited
another woodland site and again found Brown argus. almost 20 on this
occasion. Douglas had also observed this species on both these sites on
15th August. A third site exists in the same area, so they would seem to
be fairly well dispersed.
The following Saturday we visited several old quarries near Kettering.
The first was a very steep-sided site, and although I scrambled (with great
difficulty) down the first scrub-free area. Douglas decided against it as the
risk of damage to his camera equipment was too great. I had barely gone
ten yards when I netted a male Brown argus. which I boxed so Douglas
could also have a look at it. Strangely enough this was the only one
found that day despite a lot of searching.
We thought that someone had originally released a few specimens that
had managed to establish themselves, but have been unable to find any
evidence of this. It is known that this species has quite a low survival
population (the minimum number required to maintain a viable colony),
but it seems beyond belief that five confirmed colonies could go
unobserved for 35 years, particularly as four of these areas are regularly
visited by various natural history recorders. Perhaps the species has
suddenly extended its range as I understand it has also (re) appeared in
Lincolnshire. The puzzle remains as to where they have expanded from.
A further puzzle exists as to the choice of larval foodplant. None of
these sites contain rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium). and a search
failed to reveal any storksbill (Erodium cicutarium), although I must admit
I am not familiar with the latter species. Cranesbill {Geranium sp.) is
sometimes given as an alternative foodplant. and it is possible that this is
used on some of the sites. However, despite watching several females
crawling over various plants and looking as if they intended to oviposit,
no egg-laying was observed and no ova found. Having seen the ova on
206
OCTOBER 1995
other sites I know they are fairly conspicuous on the underside of the
chosen leaf, but much closer observation will be needed to determine the
preferred larval foodplant on these Northamptonshire sites. If anyone
knows of any alternative foodplants, I should be very grateful if they
would let me know.
It will be very interesting to see if this expansion continues in 1995, as I
suspect it will if the weather is favourable at the right time. Hopefully the
existing colonies will remain intact and provide us with the answers as to
the larval foodplants that are used, but I think we could remain in the
dark as to how these populations have originated and from where.
Finally, I would like to thank Douglas Goddard for confirming the old
county records, sharing his observations, and helping to compile this
report.
CYNTHIA CARDUl IN EAST SUSSEX
by A.H.H. Harbottle
I wish to record that at 9.30am (GMT) on Saturday 4th March 1995 I saw
a specimen of C\;nthia cardui flying in the garden during a period of
brilliant sunshine.
1996 SUBSCRIPTIONS
Council has increased the 1996 subscription rate by £1 to £10 for
Ordinary members. The Bulletin is now on or over the next postage
band, thus costing the Society much more in postage. The increase is
regrettable, but the subscription rate still does not cover the cost of
producing the six Bulletins. To help compensate members, Council will
be giving free entry to members for the 1996 exhibition, which will again
be held at Kempton Park Racecourse.
It would greatly help the Society if all subscriptions could be paid by 1st
January 1996, payment after 1st February 1996 will incur an additional
administration charge. Members paying by standing order are asked to
make the necessary arrangements to prevent any delay in receiving their
Bulletins.
The Council
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
207
Book Reviews
The conservation of butterflies in Britain past and present by John
FeltwelL A5 pbk., pp vii +230 + (3); 17 b/w illustrations by Brian
Hargreaves. ISBN 0 907970 02 8. Wildlife Matters, Battle 1995. Price
£6.99 (+£1.95 p&p from "Marlham", Henley's Down, Battle, East Sussex
TN33 9BN).
Yes, this is yet another book about butterflies but one that is very different
to the usual run of them. It is a thoroughly researched historical account
of the history of butterfly conservation and gives detailed accounts of the
attempts, both failed and successful, of re-introducing the three species,
Swallowtail, Large copper and Large blue. Only a brief mention is given
of the failed attempt to re-introduce the Black-veined white to Sir Winston
Churchill's garden at Chartwell.
Further chapters in the book deal with habitat management, the
present threats to butterflies, butterflies and the law, voluntary codes and
practices and a selected list of Nature Reserves, as well as those owned
by, managed by, or investigated by. Butterfly Conservation (surprisingly
both Wicken & Woodwalton fens are omitted but the butterflies these
localities are noted for are deliberately omitted). The chapters on the law
and voluntary codes make particularly useful reading and give a clear and
balanced account of the present situation as well as giving the contrasting
views held by some "collectors" and "conservationists".
I would take issue with the author's statement that "Collectors were
almost entirely responsible for the butterfly's (Large copper) extinction . . .",
especially as he modifies this categorical statement on the same page with
"it is probable that a combination of over-collecting and drainage was
responsible." (My italics.) As I have argued elsewhere collectors were not
to blame and the fact that the Copper's habitat was reduced by drainage
from 2000 square miles to a few hundred acres of fragmented refuges
does, I feel, speak for itself. As the author himself says, "it needs space,
which only huge wetlands can give. Any future habitats need to be big,
really big with a huge grid of interlocking waterways and pools."
In the discussion of the Large blue, an account is given below as to
how, about 60-70 years ago, an apparently deliberate attempt was being
made to exterminate the Large blue, mainly by disturbance of the habitat
and levelling the ants' nests so essential to its survival. This may of course
have been done in ignorance and in search of the butterflies' chrysalides
then supposed to be in the nests. This information came as a surprise
tome and it shows, together with other quoted information in this book.
208
OCTOBER 1995
just how painstakingly the author has researched his subject and delved
into both the sometimes very obscure and hard to get at literature as well
as studying extant collections of extinct species.
There is a useful list of acronyms and a glossary. The very extensive
bibliography runs to 28 pages, but the index could be improved: for
instance only a single page reference (13) is given for the Black-veined
white and one has to look under Aporia crataegi to find a more important
discussion of it on page 159. Produced by desktop publishing the layout
and type is on the whole pleasing and well laid out. I would, however,
cavil at the "notes" to the chapters which are in a minute italic typeface. I
would have preferred the Tables to have been in larger typesize. The
monochrome illustrations which are by Brian Hargreaves are appropriate
to the subject and add interest. In particular the contrasting views of an
entomologist in an 18th century sylvan setting and that of one in a 1995
pollution devastated landscape, does I feel, say it all and illustrates so
emphatically that the blame for declining numbers can clearly be laid at
the door of habitat changes.
This book is an absolute mine of information on all aspects of butterfly
conservation and that which applies to butterflies applies to moths and
doubtless all other invertebrates also. At its very modest price this book
should be in the library of all those with even the slightest interest in the
subject. Brian Gardiner
The Insects: An Outline of Entomohgi; by P.J. Gullan and P.S. Cranson.
512pp. 220 line illustrations. ISBN 0 412 49360 8. Chapman and Hall.
£24.99.
Superb! The only word that I can use to describe this book. For a
foundation book in entomology look no further. Written in an extremely
comprehensible form and with line illustrations of high quality, it is ideal
for students studying the subject in any depth.
The book deals with general entomological issues such as the
significance of insects, their structure, both internal and external, and how
they reproduce, develop and sense their external environment. It follows
major themes in insect biology, the ecology of ground-dwelling, aquatic
and plant- feeding insects, the behaviour of social, predatory, parasitic
and defensive insects, and the importance of insects in medical,
veterinary and agricultural science and pest management. Unlike other
tomes, there is a systematic synopsis at the end of each chapter rather
than having an order by order arrangement.
The book is very reasonably priced at £24.99 and really is a must for
the bookshelf. Wayne Jai-vis
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
209
THE STORY OF SPIDER SUE
by Wesleyj Caswell
Let me tell you the story of Spider Sue. Since I was quite young, I have
often thought of keeping a "bird-eating" spider or tarantula as a pet, but
never actually got around to getting one, as they were much too
expensive. Until, that is, the AES exhibition in 1979 when I think it was
held at Alexandra Palace. In those days, tarantulas were not nearly as
obtainable as now, but I came across a person selling tiny tarantulas from
Guatemala for £2 each, and well, I just happened to have a spare £2 to
spend so, it was quickly changed into a spider.
Normally, as some of you may know, I only rear silkmoths, so I was not
sure how to keep it, but put it into a small plastic tube and fed it on things
like greenfly (she was only about half the size of a small housefly). How
she survived the first winter with a "keeper" who was "into" tarantulas,
still amazes me, but survive she did, steadily growing all the time and
eating bigger and bigger flies etc. Within a few years or so, she had grown
really large and heavy, much larger than most British spiders.
When I married in 1981, "spider" obtained a name, as Ann, my wife,
named her Sue. From then on my pet was known as Spider Sue.
In 1987, Spider Sue, still growing, became famous for a day
throughout Britain. It happened like this:
My wife had brought my mother a little kitten called Jill, and she had a
habit, as cats will, of jumping up onto the piano where Spider Sue sat in
her plastic tank. So, the tank had to be covered at times to prevent Jill
from seeing Sue crawling around.
One day, I was driving home from the city, listening to BBC Radio 2,
and at around 4.45pm, Adrian Love said that he was starting a new
competition, with a prize each day of a Radio 2 tea cosy. All listeners had
to do was write and tell him the most stupid reason for wanting a tea
cosy. Instantly I decided that I would write and say that I wanted one to
cover up Spider Sue, so that Jill the cat could not see her inside.
The letter was written and about a week later, again whilst driving
home, Adrian announces the daily winner . . .
"Now here's a nutter after my own heart ... I have here a letter from
Wesley Caswell . . . etc.'' and yes, a week or so latter my tea cosy arrived,
and I still have it, but have not used it to cover Spider Sue!
Fifteen years after that exhibition at Ally Pally, Spider Sue continues to
grow, gobbling flies, moths and anything that moves within the container.
So far, I have never been bitten, but now that baby Esther has arrived,
perhaps one day I shall have to get the tea cosy out to cover her up!
210
OCTOBER 1995
•\fiP'lir ^
60 YEARS OF THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY
Part V. 1975-84
by Wayne Jarms (9899)
Despite the economic status of the country in the 1970s, the Society
continued to prosper, with a membership of 1276 by the turn of 1975, an
increase of 50% over five years. The three study groups which now
remained, the Exotic Entomology Group, the Conservation Group and
the Insect Behaviour and Ant Study Group, were also well supported and
all produced their own newsletters. The Bulletin, under the editorship of
Brian Gardiner, was still produced quarterly, with two larger issues in
February and August and two smaller issues in May and November.
Black and white photographs became much more widespread and
articles in the journal began to take on much more of a conservation
slant. The Annual Exhibition was held at Holland Park School and was
again very successful with the second edition of the Coleopterists'
Handbook selling well.
Volume 35 Number 310 (February 1976) of the Bulletin broke thirty
years of tradition with a re-designed cover. Subscriptions were regrettably
increased, however, to £2 for adults and £1.25 for Juniors due to
increasing costs in producing the journal. Despite this, the Society
continued to grow and by the end of the year, another 100 members had
subscribed. The Exotic Entomology Group increased its membership by
25% to 211 and the other two groups also continued to gain members.
The Society did, however, have its problems; notably, the exhibition
venue. The ILEA announced that the Holland Park School was required
for other uses during term time in the future, and the Society would,
therefore, have to seek an alternative. This caused a problem for the
Society, but eventually the University College School in Hampstead was
booked. Despite all the problems, the event was again a success and was
visited by an Independent Television crew, who were filming a series of
natural history programmes. There were three publications produced by
the Society during 1976; the Lepidopterists' Handbook, Collecting
Lacewings and Insect Light Traps.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
211
The Society continued to expand its membership, with 1521 members
enrolling by the end of the year. 1977 saw the foundation of the Ansorge
Award, after a bequest was left by Sir Eric Ansorge. This award was, and
still is, awarded for the best Junior exhibitor at the exhibition. This year
saw three founder members of the Society die, Mr G.V. Day, Mr T.H. Fox
and Mr L.G.F. Waddington.
The exhibition venue was again changed in 1978 to the Wembley
Conference Centre. This provided ample room for the event, but was fully
booked for the following year, posing even more problems for the event's
organisers as there did not seem to be another venue in London large
enough to cope with the event's capacity. Membership rose again to 1650.
Eventually, Alexandra Palace was booked for the 1979 exhibition. This
provided the "best venue yet" (B. Gardiner's editorial) but again the
venue was unavailable the following year due to "modernisation" work
which was to be carried out. Subscriptions were increased to £3.50 for
adults and £2 for juniors, mainly due to the increased costs involved in
running the Society. The Dipterists' Handbook was published and like its
sister publications sold well.
The new venue for the 1980 exhibition was to be the Royal
Horticultural Society's Old Hall, which was by no means perfect for the
event. However, despite this, the best was made of the venue and the
event went well. It did however, mean that a further new venue had to be
sought which hopefully could be home to the exhibition for a few years.
The Conservation Group ceased to exist after 1st January 1980, as it was
integrated into the Society as the Conservation Committee. It was
intended that a newsletter was to be published entitled Insect
Conservation News (ICN), which could be subscribed to. Two issues were
published during 1980. The membership continued to grow, with 1747
members subscribed by the end of 1980.
The following year, 1981, was Butterfly Year, the Royal Entomological
Society set up a committee to promote all aspects of butterflies and their
conservation. A series of butterfly stamps was issued by the Post Office
and the plight of our butterflies at least was brought to the attention of the
public at large for the first time. Along with this came the final
amendments to, and passing of, the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Hounslow Civic Centre was the chosen exhibition venue, and all went
well. The Society published ICN 3, 4 and 5.
The Bulletin printers were changed in August 1982 (Volume 41 No.
336) from V.B. Pike to Cravitz Printing Company Limited from
Brentwood, Essex. This was mainly because of the four month turn-
212
OCTOBER 1995
Hair-cr.- sr.er a c aqua's: cy Cyri H-r.-.cr.d. :cr -a cas: art::s
intha 5:.::a::': :va;- 5. -.-/.-a "'.a :::5: v.:' '.a: v.-s - I Su":' '::r
butiei^ias cs.z zrls aypa-aa in . a — a 41 :: ~aa: 334. March 1982.
^ a : a :y : a p ub' : ; h a colour
'-.zziZ '-. :aa aa::a: of which.
Briar. Gardir.ar. -.vas av.ar da a ar Hararary l::a :.:aaraa:sr:y far his
a durraar
increase id suasir arias :a £4 add £-a far -udiars^ . Od a saa da:a.
: :c 'adiaaa fC 10 add 11 v ara duai saaa
V:-v-:a 35. :.d-:da- 3:1, ;.:a; :9rd. -aya 66
NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS - DINER S DELICACY
ci J. Gddd 5595J
Receniiy 1 car^e across Vince-^^: i-iai.s delightful book entitled Why rot
Eat Insects". d^ 5: :r c :d print in 1885. In its variaus : day a: 5
: d: ■ ■ dd^ ia to take up eating thesa rraaa ras
:.: d^ ad d a rodents. I shall just pick ca: a rdad^ d
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
213
the back of this book and you shall see whether your "prejudices"", as the
author calls it. shall make you turn up your noses at these mouthwatering
dishes.
Curried Cockchafers
Wasp Grubs fried in the comb
Moth sautes in butter
New Can'ots with Wireworm sauce
^ w ^
^ ^ ^
Gooseben-y cream with sawflies
Stag beetle lawae on toast
A few weeks after buying this book I decided to ti'y one of these recipes
out: so 1 planned on having Fried grasshoppers. I obtained five of these
and put them into boiling water where they changed to a pleasant reddish
colour. Then after getting a frying pan. and having placed a small chunk
of fat in it. I removed the hind legs and wings of my grasshoppers and put
them into the fi-ying pan. one by one. Then I set out to devour them, and
found them quite crispy, but they tasted, well, not exactly agreeable.
Perhaps because 1 had burnt them!
From Volume 41 Number 337. November 1982. Pages 164-5.
NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS -
DAMSELFLIES AND SUNDEW FLOWERS
bv A.M. Tynan
During a recent fishing holiday in Sutherland I was interested to find quite
a number of tivo species of damselfly trapped by the leaves of the long-
leaved Sundew. Neither species Enallagma cyathigerum (Charp.) and
Pyrrhosoma nymphula (Sulzer) has the speed or the power of the larger
hawkers or darters. Similarly the long-leaved sundew with its bunches of
large erect leaves is a more powerful predator than its round-leaved
214
OCTOBER 1995
relation but the discovery of twelve of these attractive insects struggling to
escape from a dense patch of Drosera about two square yards in extent
did come as a surprise. Although it might sound rather hypocritical from
one who was trying to abbreviate the lives of the local brown trout for his
own consumption, I spent a little time depriving the plants of their
suppers, and returned the damsels to freedom. This although still sticky
seemed preferable to slow digestion and ultimate death. Rather more
acceptable was the sight of a hawker dragonfly (species not identified)
taking a blue damselfly (presumably the Enallagma which was present in
large numbers) on the wing then settling on a rock nearby and devouring
the whole insect, less wings head first.
From Volume 42, Number 340, August 1983, Page 144.
THE FLEAS OF SAINT NENNAN
In Connaught there is a village well known for its church, which belongs
to St. Nennan. Here in old days fleas were so abundant and were such a
plague that most of the people left and the village became deserted until,
by the prayers of St. Nennan, the fleas were all driven out into a nearby
meadow.
Not a single flea thereafter could be found in the village, so filled was it
with the cleansing spirit of holiness, on account of the virtues of the Saint.
But the meadow has been so crowded ever since with the fleas that it
cannot be entered by man or beast.
From Volume 42, Number 341, November 1983, Page 196.
NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS - PARASITES OF THE
PEACOCK BUTTERFLY
by P.W. Cribb(2270)
During late May 1982 I collected up to eighty larvae of the Peacock
butterfly, Inachis io L., from nettles on the wasteland adjoining my
garden. They were in their last instar and nearly full-fed. Of these larvae I
obtained forty pupae and forty pupae of an ichneumon wasp. The latter
were slightly elongated spheres, brownish-black with a central cincture of
dirty white and attached to the nettles by silken threads. I sent them to Dr
Mark Shaw at Edinburgh and 1 give his comments: 'The cocoons ex /. io
are of a Campoplegine ichneumonid in the genus Phobocampe of the
species I call confusa Thomson, but the name is not very widely used (in
fact it isn't on the 1978 Kloet & Hincks list, although it has been used in
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
215
the British literature by Stelfox as well as by me). It is a very abundant
parasite of io and also A. urticae, and, as it attacks the second instar of
the host, i.e. before they disperse, very often a large proportion of a
particular brood are stung."
From Volume 43, Number 344, November 1984, Page 196.
A SURFEIT OF STAG BEETLES
by Richard Bizely (7143)
In the middle of June this year our local paper (The Leatherhead
Advertiser) reported that one evening hundreds of Stag beetles (Leucanus
cervus L.) flew over gardens and were watched by amazed householders.
A Mr Jeremy Davies, of Linden Road, reported "The air was alive with
them. People who went out had to duck. I think they must just have
hatched out and they seemed to come from a hedge. It was an incredible
sight."
I myself, some four years ago, in June/July, one warm evening, found
about 55 dead or dying stag beetles in the garden and under close
inspection I found that they all had their abdomens removed. I was then,
and still am, very puzzled. I would be interested if someone could let me
know the reason for this. Had they been eaten by some bird or other
animal?
[I too, many years ago, have seen such a swarm passing overhead, also
near to Leatherhead. As to the eaten abdomens, I suspect a rodent. I
have known field mice help themselves to the abdomens of butterflies
before now and leave the rest of the insect intact.- Brian Gardiner,
Editor]
CORRECTION TO EXHIBTION REPORT VOLUME 54
NO 401, PAGE 147
Due to a typesetting error, Paul Waring's entry on page 147 for Agrochola
nitidia should have read thus:
Agrochola nitida (D. & S.) - Widely distributed in southern and central
Europe, the larvae reported to feed on "low plants". This individual came
to a wine-rope hung on a riverside Willow Salix sp. just north of Lednice on
5th September.
The text printed under this species infact refers to Emmelia trabealis.
Apologies to all for this error.
216
OCTOBER 1995
Diary Dates
Abbreviaiions
BENHS British Entomological and Natural History' Society.
BISG Bloomsbuiy Insect Science Group.
DNHSAS Dorset Natural Historv' and Archaeological Society.
HMB Huntingdonshire Moth and Butterfly Group.
LCES Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
RES Royal Entomological Society of London.
RES(QG) RES Rooms. 41 Queen s Gate. London SW7.
I: Information from:
To make the diaiy effective connibutions are needed from members. Any
relevant items should be sent to the Bulletin Editor. No charge is made for
entries. Please allow three months advance notice.
NOVEMBER
1st RES Meeting - To Freeze or not to Freeze: Is that the Question?
RES QG: Tea IT.OOhrs. Meeting 17.30hrs. Prof. J.S. Bale from the
University of Birmingham talks about the principles of insect cold
hardiness and explains over-wintering strategies in ecological terms.
Applications of insect cryobiology will also be discussed.
I: RES 0171 584 8361.
8th BISG Meeting - Development of electrical synapses in Drosophila.
The role of the shaking-B gene.
Birkbeck College. Department of Biology-. Room 232. Malet Street.
London. Tea 17.30hrs. Meeting IS.OOhrs. Dr P. Phelan.
I: Dr Richard Rayne 0171 631 6253 e-mail r.rayne(« biol.bbk.ac.uk.
14th BENHS Indoor Meeting - Post Exhibition discussion and Members
slides.
RES QG IS.OOhrs.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way. Brampton. Huntingdon. Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
21st LCES Indoor Meeting.
Photographic and slide evening and short papers. At Liverpool Museum.
19.00hrs.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
217
22nd BISG Meeting - The Evolution of Arthropods.
Birkbeck College, Department of Biology, Room 232, Malet Street,
London. Tea 17.30hrs, Meeting IS.OOhrs. Dr D. Osorio.
I: Dr Richard Rayne 0171 631 6253 e-mail r.rayne@biol.bbk.ac.uk.
25th BENHS Workshop - Craneflies
Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
DECEMBER
6th RES Meeting - Pests and Predators in Orchards.
RES(QG) Tea 17.00hrs, Meeting 17.30hrs. Talk by Dr M.G. Solomon.
I: RES 0171 584 8361.
BISG Meeting - Responses of blackflies to host odours.
Birkbeck College, Department of Biology, Room 232, Malet Street,
London. Tea 17.30hrs, Meeting IS.OOhrs. Dr S. Schofield.
I: Dr Richard Rayne 0171 631 6253 e-mail r.rayne@biol.bbk.ac.uk.
12th LCES Indoor Meeting.
Members' entomological videos and Christmas social evening. At
Liverpool Museum, 19.00hrs.
13th HMB Meeting.
Woodhurst Village Hall, Huntingdonshire at 20.00hrs.
I: Barry Dickerson 01480 475689.
BENHS Indoor Meeting - Opportunity or design - Which is best for
conserving our biological diversity;?
RES(QG) IS.OOhrs. Dick Vane-Wright from the Natural History Museum
talks about new mapping and analysis techniques developed at the NHM
which give new means of conserving biodiversity.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
JANUARY 1996
15th BENHS Indoor Meeting - The ecologx; and conservation of ground
beetles.
RES(QG) IS.OOhrs. Brian Eversham (BRC Monks Wood) talks about this
intensively studied group.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
218
OCTOBER 1995
1 6th LCES Indoor Meeting.
Members' short papers and Presidential Address. At Liverpool Museum.
19.00hrs.
20th LCES Annual General Meeting.
Liveipool Museum. 14.00hrs.
23rd DNHAS Natural Histon; Meeting - Britain s Heritage of Ancient
Habitats.
Dorset Countv' Museum. Dorchester at 19.30hrs.
I: Kate Hebditch 01305 262735.
FEBRUARY
14th HMB Meeting.
Woodhurst Village Hall. Huntingdonshire at 20.00hrs.
I: Barry Dickerson 01480 475689.
17th BENHS Workshop - Bluebottles and Reshflies.
Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
20th LCES Indoor Meeting - Rare Insects of the North-West
Liveipool Museum. 19.00hrs.
27th BENHS Annual General Meeting and Presidential Address.
RES(QG) IS.OOhrs.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon. Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
MARCH
9th BENHS Workshop - Molluscs.
Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance.
I: Dr Ian McLean.
109 Miller Way. Brampton. Huntingdon. Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
11th BENHS Indoor Meeting - Landscapes and Wildlife Conservation in
New Zealand.
RESlQG) IS.OOhrs. Talk by Margaret Palmer.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way. Brampton, Huntingdon. Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
AES BULLETIN, Vol. 54
219
19th LCES Indoor Meeting - North Wales Invertebrate Conservation.
Liverpool Museum, 19.00hrs.
23rd BENHS Workshop - Aculeates.
Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
26th DNHAS Natural History Meeting - Beetles: Well I quite like
Ladyhirdsl
Dorset County Museum, Dorchester at 19.30hrs.
I: Kate Hebditch 01305 262735.
APRIL
10th HMB Meeting.
Woodhurst Village Hall, Huntingdonshire at 20.00hrs.
I: Barry Dickerson 01480 475689.
16th LCES Indoor Meeting - Leaf mining insects and their mines.
Liverpool Museum, 19.00hrs.
BENHS Indoor Meeting - Plant-Insect interactions with particular
reference to galls.
RES(QG) IS.OOhrs. Talk by Margaret Redfern.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
20th BENHS Workshop - Sawflies.
Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
23rd DNHAS Natural History Meeting - The elusive white - Butterfly
hunting in Columbia.
Dorset County Museum, Dorchester at 19.30hrs.
I: Kate Hebditch 01305 262735.
MAY
14th BENHS Indoor Meeting - Sex, Parasites and Venereal Disease in
Ladybirds.
RES(QG) IS.OOhrs. Talk by Dr Mike Majerus.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
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CONTENTS
P. Waring and R. Thomas. Moths and butterflies of the French Pyrennes,
22nd-31st July 1994 179
P.B. Hardin and G.C. Abejuela. Butterfly adaptation to unnatural habitats in the
Philippines 190
G. Bartman and P.D. Brock. Observations on the appearance and behaviour of
species of the stick-insect genus Timea Scudder (Phasmida: Timematodea) 197
P. Tebbutt. Brown argus {Aricia agestis) in Northamptonshire 204
W.J. Jarvis. 60 years of the Amateur Entomologists' Society, Part V. 1975-84 210
Short Communications
N.A. Robinson. How long-legged was that Roman soldier? A contribution on Romanus
hngipes 178
D. McNamara. A note on the Scarlet tiger moth [Callimorpha dominula) at Newnham-
on-Sevem ; 193
R.A. Frost. A Dingy skipper in Derbyshire in August 194
C. Gardiner. Dark green fritillary in Northamptonshire 194
C. Paper. Moth sightings in 1994 195
J. Koryszko. Purple thorn records in Staffordshire 195
F. McCann. Entomology note from Glasgow 196
J. Koryszko. Small yellow wave record 196
A.H.H. Harbottle. Cynthia cardui in East Sussex 206
W. Caswell. The story of Spider Sue 209
Editorial 177
Book Reviews
The conservation of butterflies in Britain past and present 207
The insects: An outline of entomology 208
Diary Dates 216
1996 Subscriptions 206
Confection to Bulletin 54 no. 401 page 147 215
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© 1995. The Amateur Entomologists' Society.
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EDITORIAL
As our 60th Anniversary year comes to a close, the 61st year dawns in a
new light. The Bulletin will appear in its new format in February,
complete with colour cover. Over the year several other changes will be
seen. The AGM and Members' Day will take place on Saturday 20th April
at the Royal Entomological Society of London and the 1996 Exhibition -
which I remind you will be free for Society members to enter - will take
place on Saturday 5th October, under the new direction of organiser
Maxwell Barclay.
1 again apologise to all authors who are waiting to see their articles
published. 1 do have a large backlog at the moment, but by February's
issue this problem should have been rectified and the delay should be
minimal. This does not, however, mean that I no longer want articles . . .
please keep them coming in. Notes regarding the submission of articles
may be found below.
Finally, 1 would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and
prosperous New Year on behalf of the Society and 1 look forward to you
joining us once again for 1996.
Wayne Jarvis
NOTICE TO AUTHORS
Articles should be submitted preferably on A4 paper but not necessarily
typed or word processed. There should be no underlining, italics or bold
type in the article and lines should be double spaced. Otherwise, the
articles should be formatted in a manner similar to that in the Bulletin and
should include the author's address. Slides/photographs/Illustrations
should be clearly labelled with the authors name and membership
number.
222
DECEMBER 1995
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN MELOE PROSCARABAEUS
AND ANTHOPHORA RETUSA ALONG THE
PEMBROKESHIRE COAST
by Gordon Knight
Observations
Meloe proscarabaeus (the Oil beetle) (Plate 95U, Fig. 1) is large (up to
36mm), black and conspicuous along the Pembrokeshire Coast National
Park 180-mile coast path and together with Timarcha tenebhcosa (the
Bloody-nosed beetle), the two beetles are conspicuous members of the
coast path fauna in April and May. Anthophora retusa, Meloe's presumed
host, breeds along the same stretch of coast, but is not common.
Furthermore, at a time when many of Meloe's larvae are ready to "hitch-
hike" to an Anthophora nest, Anthophora has ceased flying for the year.
There is, therefore, a problem. I will summarise observations to date and
hope that an interested reader will be able to suggest a solution to this
impasse.
The female Anthophora retusa (Plate 95U, Fig. 2) (the "flower bee") is
like a small Bombus (Bumble bee). In fact she is the same size as a
Bombus pratorum queen. She is all black, save for the ginger pollen-
brushes on her hind legs, and very fast moving when on the wing in
March, April and May, my earliest record being 4th March, and my very
latest, 4th June. The males, as is customary with insects, emerge before
the females, are brown and could be mistaken for another species and,
unusually for males, have as long a flying season as the females. They fly
at an even faster rate and rarely land to feed, but either hurry along
female "flower-lanes" or hover outside colonies "attacking" them.
The females are rapid, weather-hardy pollinators of spring flowers, both
wild and garden, which include primroses, cowslips, ground ivy
(Glechoma hederacea), violets, aubretia, borage and kidney vetch
(Anth\;llis vulneraria) and even rhododendron, and there is never any
doubt that all the Primula species in my village garden are visited many
times over, producing a full complement of seed. The rate of
Anthophora's visits compared with those of some other spring pollinators
can be seen from table 1 .
Theoretically, the rapid visits of Anthophora should ensure that Meloe's
larvae have a greater chance of being picked up by Anthophora than by
any other species, but so far 1 have not found any larvae on the above-
mentioned flowers, mainly perhaps because most don't hatch out until
June!
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
223
Table 1 . Rate of insect visits to Glechoma hederacea.
Species
Bomb\;lius major
Apis melHfera
Visits per minute
12-15
13-16
Bombus lucorum and terrestris
17-19
B. pascuorum
B. pratorum
Anthophora retusa
30-43
27
25-31
Because of erosion there are abundant exposures of what appear to be
ideal nest sites for Anthophora virtually all along the Pembrokeshire coast
in the top few feet of glacial till, but in fact over a period of seven years I
have only discovered two colonies. One was a strong colony in a cliff
south of St. Davids (SM 750243) in 1991 and the other was a smaller
colony near Strumble Head (SM 883395) in 1993. The St. Davids colony
was totally wiped out by 1993 and the Strumble head colony by 1995, I
suspect by Meloe, despite the above-mentioned difficulties. Obviously for
species survival the occasional adult Anthophora must found a "colony"
in a new site and not use, as most do, the parental "colony". I have
observed this in Suffolk, but not in Pembrokeshire.
Conveniently for my studies, and to my utter astonishment, a strong
(permanent) Anthophora colony was discovered sharing my Welsh
cottage home. The bees' nest is in the inferior pointing between the stones
of its eastern wall and as the gaps do not affect the inside of the cottage,
thus they shall remain! A wait of five minutes, and certainly ten minutes,
on a moderately fine day is sufficient to establish the existence of an
Anthophora colony and there is not another in my village, although there
are other stone walls and other cottages which appear to be suitable.
Presumably the apparent permanence of my cottage colony is due to the
absence of Oil beetles in the vicinity and the fact that Anthophora forages
locally, not visiting the coast path where Meloe are to be found.
The legendary French entomologist Jean Fabre in 1853, and before
him Newport in 1851, were the first to work out the extraordinary life-
cycle of Meloe proscarabaeus, which is conveniently summarised by E.F.
Linssen (1959). My earliest record of Meloe is 5th April, and my latest,
24th May. Its slow, lumbering gait, never far from the coast path, must
attract the attention of predators as well as humans, but once attacked it
oozes cantharidine (as does the "Spanish fly" - also a beetle) to
discourage further jaw or beak movements. As it cannot fly it can never
224
DECEMBER 1995
be far from the Anthophora (or other) host burrows from which it has
emerged, though the smaller males, distinguished by their oddly kinked
antennae, can move a little faster.
Although they are nearly always found on or near bare ground, like the
coast path itself or on the tops and sloping faces of bare cliffs,
occasionally Meioe turn up in atypical sites, such as the ten males and
five females I discovered in rank grass in April 1994 at Penbrush (SM
882394) where the nearest active Anthophora colony was 100 yards
away. So, however slowly, perhaps they can move further from their
point of origin than I supposed. But more puzzling is the fact that I can
always count on finding them along the coast between Porthclais (SM
742237) and Porthlysgi (SM 732236), near St. Davids, where I have
never seen Anthophora}.
Matings, mostly in April, can regularly be witnessed, as can eating grass
or other vegetation to hand and females digging pits along the coast path.
Unlike dogs they dig with their jaws as well as their legs and also upside
down, and into these pits they lay a clutch of bright orange eggs, which
they then cover over, mainly perhaps to protect them from Myrmicine
ants.
One such clutch which I collected hatched between five and six weeks
later, but a nearby clutch which I left in situ took a week longer. The
louse-like larvae are 2mm long, thin and bright yellow. They are
extremely active, constantly rearing up their front ends, with legs waving,
and climbing whatever is available. They grip shiny surfaces by their rear
ends as do leaf beetles. They are called triangulids because each leg
appears to have three "claws", although these can only be seen with
difficulty. After reaching a suitable flower, say thrift (Armeria maritima).
they spend much of their time wriggling about inside, particularly on the
anthers where they become "plastered" with pollen, some of which I
suspect they eat along with nectar, but at night, when cool or in bad
weather they retreat into the innermost recesses of the flower. It is easy to
imagine how they could have evolved from a pollen beetle.
On a fine day on 7th June 1995 between Porthclais and Porthlysgi I
spent two hours searching for triangulids on the flowers which grew along
that stretch of coast, finding 74 in all, even though most of the flowers
had gone to seed. Their distribution was patchy and they occurred only in
or near bare earth sites along the coast path or near the cliff edge. None
were found in bird's foot trefoil [Lotus corniculatus) or kidney vetch, and
most in thrift, the actual count being as follows:
thrift 44 (one flower with 14)
sea campion [Silene maritima) 28 (one flower with 14)
sheep's bit (Jasione montana) 2
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
225
A further check, the day after, confirmed that in suitable sites most thrift
flowers contained one or two triangulids and occasionally more than 12.
Was this because they actually preferred thrift or because thrift flowers,
despite the fact that the majority had gone to seed, were the most
widespread flowers in the locality? It is not as if thrift is a particularly
popular flower with insect visitors, kidney vetch being far and away the
most popular during its flowering season, attracting virtually all species,
including Anthophora, from other flowers. Triangulids were still easy to
find in the same sites as late as 15th June 1995. What sort of "lifts" could
they expect at this season? By far the commonest visitor to this miserable
remnant of thrift flowers was Bombus lucomm. Just occasionally a small
solitary bee or fly would visit them, but there can be no doubt that in
June most triangulids would obtain lifts from this widespread and
abundant Pembrokeshire bumble bee. Note that this is well after all
Anthophora are "grounded"; moreover Anthophora have never been
seen along this section of coast.
Triangulids were easy to entice off the flowers by inserting a small
paintbrush, but were just as easily persuaded to release their hold on the
bristles when presented with another flower. So could Bonnbus lucorum
be used as a means of reaching thrift or other flowers which grow in a
more promising site? If B. lucorum was itself the host, then of course the
Anthophora/Meloe time problem would not arise, but there is no
evidence for this.
According to Linssen's summary of their life history the few lucky
triangulids to reach the correct, already provisioned host cell, first eat the
egg and then the pollen/nectar provisions, at the same time developing
into a more maggot-like, immobile state. This of course raises yet other
problems. How does this growing larva in its relatively immobile state
reach other host cells to enable it to acquire enough food to attain adult
size? And finally how does the very large adult beetle claw its way to the
surface through what will usually be stony ground?
Conclusion
' In my own mind I am sure that Meloe was responsible for destroying the
two good Pembrokeshire coastal colonies of Anthophora, so 1 am not
disputing Fabre's original findings, but this cannot be the whole story. The
larvae will be "hitch-hiking" from 18th May to 26th June. Hence those
"cadging lifts" in May could occasionally be picked up on, say, cowslip, a
' favourite with Anthophora, or perhaps violet-not primrose, which will
have finished flowering (Anthophora actually collects cowslip pollen).
226
DECEMBER 1995
These triangulids will anive ai Anthophords cells at an ideal time, but
from the beginning of June ihey must find another host, as Anthophora
has ceased operations. They must frequently be picked up by Bombus
lucorum on thrift, but presumably their survival depends upon their
obtaining a subsequent lift from a solitary mining bee species. Which
other species is not known, but there are 180 miles of coast path and
associated cliffs in which other species abound.
Acknowledgements
Thanks are due to Dr Roger Key of the Nature Conservancy Council for
England for his encouragement and assistance, particularly in regard to
references.
REFERENCE
Linssen. E.F. ^1959j. Beetles of the British Isles. SO - 86.
WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT QUINQUENNIAL
REVIEW
by Paul Bauy
In the Entomological Livestock Group list 382 (15th August 1995) I
outlined proposals for additions to the protected species on Schedule 5
-section 9;. I also stated at the time that there was no sign of the
rumoured '"ban on releases". I have now discovered (via information
from a very reliable source ) that the proposals to ban all releases of any of
the fully or partially protected species are to be considered and are likely
to become law. This appears very likely to happen, especially as I have
been told that we were not going to be consulted over the matter. It
seems that this one was to be slipped through on the quiet! Exactly whose
decision this was. I don't know. An^^-way. the best thing to do of you don't
agree with this proposal is to write to the addresses I shall give below and
put your opinion across. If the JNCC and English Nature get a few
hundred letters fi'om the veiy people that this legislation will affect - then
they might consider all sides before making a decision. 1 believe that
legislation pushed through on the quiet will not be easily accepted by the
people at the blunt end. Write to: Margaret Palmer. JNCC. Monkstone
House. City Road. Peterborough PEl 1J\' (Tel: 01733 62626 Fax: 01733
555948) or English Nature. Noithminster House. Peterborough PEl lUA
(Tel: 01733 340345 Fax: 01733 68834).
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
227
BUGGED UP TO THE NINES - DRESS SENSE FOR
ENTOMOLOGISTS
by Richard Jones (8355)
13 Bellwood Road, Nunhead, London SE15 3DE.
There can be nothing more disconcerting than to be innocently walking
along a sunny woodland ride, oblivious to all but the distant twittering of
song-birds, when suddenly a dishevelled shape lumbers menacingly from
the undergrowth; cursing and stumbling, the looming figure rips through
the brambles, drops the beating tray and stands panting before a very
startled rambler. This is not the way for an entomologist to make an
entrance.
The little girl, out walking Horace the King Charles spaniel, blinks and
turns to her mother: "Is that a tramp mummy?" she asks.
Unsure what this apparition could possibly be, mummy is on the verge
of confirming her daughter's suspicions, but errs on the side of discretion.
"I'm not sure, but whatever it is don't touch it" she urges, pressing forward
to glare at the spilled tubes, scattered pill-boxes and dangling pooter. This
could be worse than she had initially imagined.
Sadly, this is all too often the entomologist's first contact with civilised
humanity. The image of this obviously dowdy and repugnant creature is
firmly set in the public imagination; first impressions are long-lasting and
final. And to our detriment it is people like this that get us decent and
respectable entomologists such a bad name.
Something has got to be done to improve the image of field naturalists.
Eccentricity is one thing, but downright untidiness is inexcusable. The
following notes have been penned with the hope that readers will bring
them to the attention of those wretched creatures with whom it is so
embarrassing to be seen net in hand beside.
At the risk of appearing sexist, I can only apologise, because the
ensuing essay is aimed almost entirely at my male colleagues. This is
partly because I am more familiar with male apparel, but also to some
extent because since there are probably fewer women entomologists there
are also fewer badly dressed women entomologists. It may also have
something to do with the fact that men seem to be more cavalier in their
attitude to clothes and personal hygiene.
Important note!
Any resemblance of the characters portrayed herein to real people living
or dead is completely intentional. When they read this and recognise
themselves they should be thoroughly ashamed.
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DECEMBER 1995
The suit
There was a time when suits were de rigeuer and no gentleman would be
seen dressed in anything else. With the modern style of "casual" clothes,
corduroy or denim jeans and waxed jackets have usurped the rightful
place of the two-piece suit as the most frequently encountered country
squire's attire. But jeans are not roomy enough for squatting to grub at
the roots of trees and the pockets are pathetically small not even room
for a few cream crackers and a small jar of Gentleman's Relish. As for wax
jackets, we must blame the Sunday colour supplements for infecting the
country set with the notion that these are anything other than ghastly wet-
look donkey jackets.
The blessings of the suit are manifold. There are usually endless
pockets, both inside and out, to carry all manner of paraphernalia, from
boxes of tubes and hand lenses to hip flask and spam sandwiches. Those
items most likely to be lost in the frantic scramble after quarry or climbing
over high barbed-wire fences, can be attached by a cord to one of the
many lapel button holes. However, too many items secured by too many
pieces of twine can give the incumbent the appearance of being held
together by bits of string - not the height of chic as one can imagine.
In summer, a light cotton suit is cool and airy, while in winter a dark
tweed or worsted will hide mud-stained knees and backside, keep the
bitter wind out and offer some protection against snarling bramble thorns
and farm dogs. The appearance of a waistcoat on the coldest and
windiest days offers further protection against the elements and provides
neat little pockets for handwarmers and extra strong mints.
Whether to go single- or double-breasted is a matter of personal
conviction and current "fashion" has little to do with the choice at hand.
Varying lapel widths, presence or absence of shoulder pads and the
modern or out-moded cut of the cloth can be used to good advantage in
presenting the mildly eccentric figure that is the well-dressed naturalist.
The tie
Whereas a gentleman will use a tie to ornament the neck and declare
allegiance to one club or the other, the typical entomologist regards it
more as a kind of self-imposed torture device. Having wrapped it about
the neck, twirled it through several bouts of ignominious (and
mathematically bizarre) knotting and unknotting, the final effect is one of
noose not nice.
For those less well informed than the rest of us. here's a little tip to
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logo or motif on the tie is intended to be displayed just below the Adam's
apple, not under the left ear.
True, some society ties, 100 per cent rayon, do not handle well unless
treated to hearty does of saddler's grease and warm sweat. But their
ability to absorb spilled claret without a blemish is unsurpassed; this I can
declare from personal experience beside flailing elbows at various
entomological bean-feast.
Buying a tie can be a traumatic experience, especially since natural
history emblems have been appropriated by all and sundry to pass as
local or national symbols. Faced by a stern sales assistant in a Penzance
gentleman's outfitter's, I plucked up my best courage to ask about the
yellow tie with blackbirds on it.
"You mean the choughs, sir" he sneered, pronouncing it "choffs", "the
ornithological emblem of Cornwall".
"Ah, yes, that's the one. Do you have any other colours?"
"No sir, choughs are black and the gold is the Cornwall colour."
A shudder ran involuntarily through his body at the notion! I quickly
bought the tie and left. Tie-buying encounters need not be so harrowing,
many high street shops and back street jumble sales are willing to serve
even the most dowdy entomologist.
Some ties are wide and some are narrow, following the vagaries of
fashion. Almost anything of medium width is acceptable, but the two
extremes can make personal statements if required. A broad silk tie,
brightly coloured, can give the wearer a brash and confident dash of
colour, but be warned that kipper ties are worn only by wide-boys. A
discrete narrow number suggests calm and sophistication, but bootlace
ties should be avoided unless one is stopping off at a barn-dance later.
Apart from giving the wearer a vague air of decorum, and offering
something to fiddle with when faced by an armed and angry game-
keeper, ties can have distinct entomological functions. They can be used
to make hasty repairs to broken net handles; they can be lashed across a
bulging rucksack full of sievings for the Burlese funnel, and they can even
be used to hold the light trap fast to the roof rack.
As well as such practical uses, ties offer excellent opportunities for
entomological snobbery. Garbed with the official neckerchief of the so-
and-so club, one is often greeted with cries of "Oh, I didn't know you
were a mem.ber of the what-d'ye-m'-call-it society." Remember to cross
one's fingers when extolling the virtues of the group. Take care not to
overdo the performance when recounting how one first joined this elite
party. And never let on that one found the tie for 15p in an Oxfam shop.
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DECEMBER 1995
The hat
To some extent, eccentricity can be given full rein when it comes to head-
gear. However, on no account wear a white flat-cap or a floppy green
angler's hat unless one wishes to invite ridicule. Other foppish affectations
such as berets, boaters and fezes are probably also best avoided.
Although the bowler was once regarded as the typical genfleman's hat,
it is now rather old-fashioned and very expensive to launder if knocked
off into a cow pat or dented when one falls out of a tree. Slightly more
practical designs include, among others, the much more flexible Panama,
fedora, Homburg, trilby, Australian bush-hat and American cowboy hat.
All of these can be carried with aplomb and style and cleaned under a
cold tap if mistreated or over-used.
The cloth-cap should be donned with care to make sure that the check
or plaid pattern does not clash with the suit. Despite the fact that the brim
gets in the way when peering through the camera viewflnder, never wear
the cap backwards or one will simply be dismissed as a simpleton.
Under certain conditions, pith helmets or sou'westers make perfectly
acceptable accoutrements, though these are rather specialised garments
and would look out of place at, for example, the Verral supper or other
garden party.
Apart from hiding a dreadful haircut, keeping off the rain and shading
the eyes from the sun (avoid vulgar sunglasses and comical green plastic
sun-visors), hats are extraordinarily practical. Having accidentally left the
net on a bus, flying insects can be caught with a deft swipe of the deer-
stalker; a loose- weave straw hat will make a passable sieve; other types
will serve as make-shift fans on a hot day or containers for picking
blackberries.
The supreme justification for having a hat is being able to raise in
greeting to some stranger or other. If one ever causes a start when
tumbling out of the undergrowth, raising one's hat is just enough to
convince that one is not a dangerous psychopath or a bumbling fruitcake.
This works especially in exotic locations where entomologists are thin on
the ground. In foreign situations, obviously aberrant behaviour such as
avidly dissecting a dung heap or collecting live fleas from mange-ridden
cats, can cause embarrassing social problems unless the situation is
disarmed by the polite, if comical, antics of hat-raising and hallooing.
Losing one's hat is a sad fate, but should this occur on a hot day,
please resist the temptation to wear a knotted handkerchief after the
manner of postcard cartoon characters.
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Footwear
Shoes or boots need to be comfortable and strong. Since they are
invariably encrusted in mud they should be waterproof. In the past,
galoshes worn over light-weight shoes were common and practical, but
these appear to have given way to the green welly. These are all very well
if one drives a shooting brake and owns a smooth-haired English setter
called Dennis, but conventional black gum-boots are perfectly acceptable
in most cases. Industrial variations with steel toe-caps are available, but
do take care when pond-dipping at dyke edges or the added weight of
the metal insert is liable to drag one wait-deep into the water.
Cowboy boots are a little over the top unless the rhinestones are picked
off first and unusual reptile skins are vulgar beyond belief. Some
foolhardy show-offs have been noted with 1930s-style brown leather
cavalry boots complete with side buckles and brass eyelets for the
bootlaces, but such footwear is ungainly, uncomfortable and makes the
wearer look a right chump.
Sandals are only of dubious use on dry heaths and distant white sand
beaches. Suede should be avoided at all cost unless one is a geography
teacher. Plimsols and "training" shoes might be comfortable and ooze
street credibility, but they show the stains as soon as one steps in one's
first badger latrine.
Woollies
Whether one favours jumpers, cardigans, sweaters or jerseys, in Fair Isle,
pead or plain, a woolly can still add to the entomolgist's smartness. A
word of warning though - don't let elbow holes ruin the effect; get the
best repairs one can afford, don't attempt to darn them oneself and shun
leatherette patches like the plague.
If a distant (or close!) relative knits their favourite entomologist a mail
sack of a pullover grin and bubble thankfulness, then immediately scheme
to loose it at the first opportunity in a raised peat bog. Perhaps the cat
would like it?
Other raiments
The anorak has suffered a decline in its perceived stylishness, mainly due
to the remorseless torment of train-spotters by the media and other
pompous intellectuals. Although functional and economical, one does
have to admit that it does lack something in terms of suavity and
elegance. Unless intending to make a personal statement in terms of self-
depreciating irony, it is best left on the clothes peg and a light overcoat
worn instead.
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DECEMBER 1995
A recent bright appearance has been made by the ubiquitous cagoule.
in gaudy colours and various synthetic fibres. They now commonly
bespot the countryside with specks of orange, purple and turquoise,
usually in matching pairs. Although decidedly waterproof, they have a
tendency to acquire vulgar amounts of condensation on the inside and it
is not long before the wearer is sodden from within rather than without.
From an entomological perspective, these strange garments may show
some promise in attracting horseflies, although further research on this
topic is no doubt in order.
The dufflecoat, once a beatnik's jazz icon, is now rather outmoded. Its
patch pockets have an annoying tendency to fill with leaf litter and fluff
and once moistened by even the most modest of showers it takes on the
feel and weight of wet roofing felt. Beatnik entomologists are now
wearing black polo-neck shirts and linen zoot-suits.
New styles
One-piece clothing has recently come to entomological circles, having
been assimilated from the worlds of angling and photography - the
many-pocketed over-waistcoat. The sleeveless "bugging jackets" are worn
over shirt, jacket or even overcoat and, like Batman's utility belt, offer
countless zippered pockets to take notebooks, hand lenses, tubes and
other entomological accoutrements like Swiss army penknife and thermos
of bovril. As long as the wearer's tie is straight and general appearance
tidy, there can be no objection to these peculiar garments.
What next?
Gazing into the future is a hopeless task, except that fashion goes in
cycles and there are always being revivals of past styles. Several dress
items have been tried and rejected over the years. As with all fads, a
vogue blossoms then disappears. Nevertheless there may still be some
mileage in many items and it would be interesting to discover whether
certain garments could be resurrected including jodhpurs, plus fours,
lederhosen, gaiters and puttees.
For myself, I always regretted the fact that the poncho never really took
its rightful place in the halls of entomological fashion and I must admit
that 1 look forward with eager anticipation to the imminent return of the
frock coat.
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CORFU IN LATE SEPTEMBER - BUTTERFLIES
by David Withrington (7110)
21 Lawn Avenue, Peterborough PEl 3RA.
I spent the last two weeks of September 1993 in Corfu with two naturalist
friends. Corfu is the most northerly of the Ionian islands, with views over
Albania and the Greek mainland. On weekday mornings, I helped to
escort fellow tourists on wildlife walks, organised by Friends of the Ionian.
The rest of the time was available for exploring this surprisingly green
island.
There was wildlife literally in and behind every bush, with autumn bird
migration in full swing and wild flowers reasserting themselves after the
scorching heat of the summer. The flora ranged from the imposing sea
daffodils, through cyclamen and crocus in the olive groves, to the
beautiful yellow Sternbergia on the slopes of Mount Pantokrator (936
metres).
With stripe-necked terrapins in the ponds, tortoises and wild boar in the
dunes, colourful locals and good food and drink in the tavernas, it was
reminiscent of Durrell's "My Family and Other Animals" (set in Corfu).
We stayed in Maltas, a tiny village in the south-west of the island, with
some new apartments behind a long sandy beach. Butterflies proved to
be numerous and varied, although it was fairly late in the season. A small
patch of rough ground outside our apartment produced the ubiquitous
Swallowtail (P. machaon), whites (P. rapae, P. daplidice and L. sinapis),
blues (L. boeticus, S. pirithous, C. argiolus, A. agestis, A. thersites and P.
icarus), browns (M. jurtina, C. pamphilus, L. maera and P. aegeria) and
skippers (S. orbifer, T. lineola and O. venata).
Another productive habitat was the cliff path (Plate 95V, Fig. 3) - a
mixture of bare ground, rough grass, brambles and maquis. Here we saw
three species of grayling (H. semele, H. aristaeus and H. sxjriaca), the
Wall (L. megera) and Southern comma (P. egea). The biggest surprise
was the graceful Hungarian glider (N. huularis) which we saw in the
south, centre and north of the island - apparently some 200 kilometres
south of its previously recorded range.
Two large, fast- flying butterflies were easy to identify but difficult to
observe. In low-lying coastal areas we often saw individual Plain tigers (D.
chrysippus) . migrants from Africa which look like Monarchs. The Two-
tailed pasha (C. jasius) would seldom allow an approach closer than four
metres, even when feeding on over-ripe grapes. On 1st October, we
climbed to the top of Mount St. Mattheos (463 metres) where we saw a
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DECEMBER 1995
Two-tailed pasha patrolling a stretch of woodland path. As I was trying to
photograph it on a dead branch, it took off and landed on my hat (Plate
95V, Fig. 4). It stayed there contentedly while I struggled to undo my
camera strap, so that I could pass it to my friends without lifting it over my
head. It proved to be very photogenic, flying off every five minutes to see
wandering males of its own species. After half-an-hour, I took off my hat
and we bade it farewell.
This episode seemed to symbolise a close association between man
and nature on Corfu. But it was not borne out by any behaviour of some
of the locals who were often seen driving around on mopeds and banging
off rifles. I also observed dynamite being thrown into the sea from a
fishing dinghy. Near our apartment I was sprayed with pesticide from a
plane debugging the olive groves. This was presumably accidental,
though I had been shaking my fist at the pilot.
On the other hand, we met taverna owners (the second a Dutch lady)
who had, respectively, rescued a shot kestrel and a crossbill that had been
hit by a car. Part of the objectives of Friends of the Ionian is to introduce
local schoolchildren to wildlife. This is made possible by the enlightened
attitude of tour operators, such as Sunvil with whom we were travelling.
Amongst the other interesting butterflies that we saw were Silver-
washed fritillaries (A. paphia) and their larger relative the Cardinal (A.
pandora). The skippers were well represented, with the Mallow skipper
(C. alceae), Marbled skipper (C. lavatheme) and Mediterranean skipper
(G. nostrodamus) . One lasting memory of Corfu will be my first ever
sighting of the Lattice brown (K. roxelana). We were sitting in a small
village taverna near Spartera in the south of the island, having an
afternoon snack and a beer. Ever alert, we spotted a butterfly settling on a
branch of a very large olive tree above our heads. It was clearly a Lattice
brown, and it stayed there motionless for 35 minutes before flying away.
GREY DAGGER ON LAUREL
hy Frank McGann (6291)
On the 27th October 1994, I was walking along Bogbain Road,
Easterhouse, when I found a Grey dagger larva on laurel. The larva was
feeding on a leaf four feet from the base of the plant. The laurel had some
leaf damage and I presume that this was due to larval feeding. I took the
larva and put it in a container alonq with some laurel and birch leaves.
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LOS ANGELES INSECT FAIR - 1995
bi^PaulD. Brock (4792)
"Papillon", 40 Thorndike Road, Slough SL2 ISR.
During a trip to California and Arizona, I was able to make a brief visit to
the Ninth Annual Insect Fair held on Saturday and Sunday, 20-2 1st May
1995 at the Arboretum of Los Angeles, Arcadia, California.
This event was well supported by mainly local insect traders and
exhibitors and visitors travelled many miles to see it, in addition to people
visiting the Arboretum.
The venue, north of Los Angeles, was ideal for a day out, with visitors
paying US$5 entrance fee to the Arboretum, which included entry to the
Insect Fair. Exhibitors were situated in a hall (34) around the patio area
(24), with good access. Several people stated that the Fair was too
commercialised, but European Fairs are much more commercially
orientated. Several exhibitors were not selling any items.
The Fair catered for children well - there were special activities,
children's books, toys and face painting. Live exotic insects were relatively
few in number, no doubt due to regulations on importing insects from
outside the USA; the US Fish and Wildlife Service were represented to
provide information on this aspect and the US Department of Food and
Agriculture-Aphis/PPQ provided information and details of career
opportunities.
Excellent displays of dead exotic insects were intermingled with various
traders from the impressive wide range of equipment and books offered
by Bio Quip Products, Inc. to deadstock for sale of various orders and
some livestock e.g. tarantulas were well represented. There were antique
insect prints, insect candy for sale (trading name "Licket cricket"!),
numerous T-shirt designs, gifts, maps and plants. Prices were generally
reasonable, although I had to resist some expensive antique prints.
This was an interesting smaller scale version of European Insect Fairs,
with something for everyone, and possibly several thousand visitors over
the two days. Another feature of the Fair was six talks - three held on
each , of the two days of the Fair, including such varied subjects as scarab
beetles, dragonflies and butterfly farming from China.
For information about forthcoming Fairs, held annually, contact the
organisers - Dr A.V. Evans, Insect Zoo Director, Natural History Museum,
900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, who also exhibit at
the Fair.
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DECEMBER 1995
THE STRANGE TALE OF "THE MANCHESTER TINEA ' -
RETOLD
by Eddie Sutcliffe
359 IVheat/ey Lane Road. Fence. Burnley. Lancashire BB12 9QA.
The now extinct ""Manchester Tinea"" was first described by John Curtis in
his 16 volume Magnum opus. It can be found on page 304 of the seventh
volume of this work which was published in 1830. Here it is described as
Pancaha woodiella of the Tineidae family, a detailed account is given of a
female specimen which includes reference to the strikingly-coloured bright
orange forewings and the reddish-orange hindwings freckled with black.
Opposite the text is a slightly larger than life-size hand-coloured print of
the moth together with detailed anatomical drawings of mouth parts and
hind leg. Since this time the moth has been referred to at various times as
Oecophora woodiella. Schiffermuelleria woodiella and latterly as
Euclemensia woodiella in the family Momphidae. It has been described
and illusti-ated in the works of Humphreys and Westwood and in those of
the Rev. F. Morris. There is nothing remarkable about all this, but let us
delve back into history and we may have a tale that, while belonging to
the annals of entomology, could, with its complexity and mystique, grace
the pages of fiction.
My story begins in June 1829 with Robert Cribb. an amateur
entomologist who resided in Oldham Road. Ancoats. Manchester. About
the 15th June he visited Kersal Moor, which was situated less than two
and a half miles from the centre of Manchester. There he observed a
brightly-coloured moth flying round a hollow tree trunk, close to
Singleton Brook. On this visit, and subsequent visits later in the month,
he secured some 30 to 60 specimens of the moth in question - there
appears to be some dispute over the exact number. Of these specimens
taken Cribb gave one to a Mr R. Wood and two to Samuel Carter, fellow
entomologists, and. at that time, friends of Cribb. It was intended that the
specimen given to R. Wood should be sent on to Curtis for identification,
and this was duly done. On receiving this and finding it to be a species
hitherto unrecorded. Curtis named the moth Pancalio woodiella (after
Wood). Cribb was most instated by this slight and refused to part with
any other specimens.
Now Cribb. in addition to his liking for entomology, also had a
fondness for the fruits of the hop which Samuel Carter attempted to use
to his advantage. Finding Cribb from time to time a little worse for wear,
he would try to persuade him to part with his box of specimens, but
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to which Cribb agreed but informed Carter that it was in pawn at a
beerhouse. Carter thereupon gave his five shillings to redeem the pawn -
this was the last he saw of Cribb for several weeks! On the next occasion
when the two men met Carter informed Cribb that he would give him his
ten shillings and in addition go to the beerhouse with Cribb and pay the
money owed on the box as well. However, on arriving at the said house
they were met by the mistress who informed them that "the box of flies
has been stuck in the fire" as she did not think he was coming for them.
Needless to say not only was Cribb the first person to take specimens of
this species, he was also the last, and the moth has not been seen again
to this day. Of the the three specimens which remained, the one held by
Curtis is now (together with the rest of Curtis's collection) in the
Melbourne Museum, Victoria, Australia. The two held by Samuel Carter
were eventually sold with his collection to the Manchester Museum. One
remains there today, while the other was exchanged for a collection of the
late Lord Walsingham, and is now in the British Museum, London.
The chronicles that I have used in assembling these facts are first those
of Joseph Sidebotham, who gives an account on pages 52-54 of The
Entomologist, 1884. In this he states that, on his joining the Manchester
Natural History Club in 1840, the tale was recited to him by Samuel
Carter and other members present. Further accounts are given by James
C. Melvill in the Lancashire and Cheshire Naturalist, May 1924, and by
Alan Brindle in the Entomologist's Gazette, Vol. 3, 1952.
AUTUMN LEPIDOPTERA FROM GLASGOW
bi; Frank McGann (6291)
On the 12th September 1994 I found a half-grown larva of the Broom
moth on sallow. This was at Possil, Glasgow on a piece of waste ground
where sallow and other trees grow. I also found a larva of what I think is
the Mottled beauty. Both larvae were resting on the upper surface of the
sallow leaves. I had been searching for more Poplar hawkmoth larvae,
common at this location.
At Bargeddie Parish Church I found two larvae, one of which was an
Arctiid, the other, much smaller, looked like a species of Wainscot moth.
The Arctiid caterpillar could be the Ruby tiger. It is feeding well on
dandelion.
Recently I have also caught a female Garden carpet moth, which has
laid numerous eggs on blackcurrant, and found a cocoon of a quite large
larva on Oxford ragwort. I have this at home and will be looking to see
what it produces.
238
DECEMBER 1995
OF BATS, BADGERS AND BOVINES
by M. Hancox
According to recent reports, it seems that salmonella disease of relevance
to poulny and other livestock, and hence to human health, m.ay also be
present in wildlife. This has been suggested for bats (Simpson 1994). as
well as for badgers (Humphrey & Bygrave. 1988). But since salmonella
will be present in the sporadic outbreaks of salmonella in poulny. sheep
and cattle, in faeces, it is hardly suiprising if there is occasional spillover
to wildlife. Serotine bats for example may consume appreciable quantities
of small Aphodius dung beetles (C, Catto pers. com.), and badgers often
turn over cow pats in search of the larger Geotrupes dor beetles 'Hancox
1992).
This may provide an interesting clue to the great badgers and bovine
TB saga. It is quite clear that badger tuberculosis is initially of dietary
origin in 70% of cases being first clinically diagnosed in lymph nodes
under the tongue (the submandibulars), and hence comparable to child
"scrofula"" of the tonsils formerly from unpasteurised milk. Badgers would
be almost bound to pick up TB. salmonella, or indeed brucellosis via the
dietary^ route from infected cattle, particularly from point source cow pats.
Blaming badgers or bats for bovine problems is hence not altogether
believable!
REFERENCES
Corbel. M.J. (1983). Response of the badger to infection uith Brucella abortus. Res. in Vet.
Sci. 34: 296-300.
Hancox. M. (1992). Dor beetles, badgers and bovine TB. Bull. Amat. Em. Soc. 51: 161-2.
- . a994). Badgers and bovine TB. Anirrial Welfare (UFAW) 3: 253-4.
Humphrey. T.J. S: Bygrave. .\. il988). Abortion in a cow associated with salmonella
infection in badgers. Veterinary Record 123: 160.
Simpson, V.R. (1994). Normal bat flora. Veterinau; Record 135: 487-8.
A DATE FOR YOUR 1996 DIARY
AES Annual General Meeting and Members' Day on 20th April 1996.
All members are urged to attend this event to be held at the Royal
Entomological Society of London. 41 Queen's Gate. London SVV7. Doors
open at 10.00am
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
239
THE STICK-INSECT DATAMES OILEUS (WESTWOOD)
1859 (PHASMIDA)
by Francis Seow-Choen (9847)
54 Mimosa Walk, Singapore 2880, Singapore.
The insect currently known as Datames oileus apparently occurs over a
wide range in South-east Asia. Westwood described the insect he called
Acanthoderus oileus in 1859 but unfortunately based his description on
a nymph from Java. Subsequently, Giinther in 1934 synonymised
Acanthoderus gravidus Bates 1865, Acanthoderus mouhoti Bates 1865,
Datames aequalis Rehn 1904, Datames mitratus Redtenbacher 1906,
Datames cxjlindripes Redtenbacher 1906, Datames arietinus
Redtenbacher 1906 and Dares fulmek Werner 1934 with Datames
oileus.
Redtenbacher examined specimens from Malacca, Perak and North
Sulawesi in describing Datames mitratus and specimens from Mentawai
Island and Malacca for Datames arietinus. Rehn's specimens of Datames
aequalis were from the Moluccas. Bragg has recently found specimens of
similar insects from Sarawak. Mr Chan Chew Lun and I have collected
specimens of Datames oileus from Singapore, Selangor, Pahang and
Sabah. It was clear from our examination of these specimens that the
Datames so far collected and examined from Peninsular Malaysia and
Singapore are co-specific whilst the Datames from Sepilok in Sabah are
not the same species (Figures 1-4). It is unlikely therefore that the type
specimens being from widely separate localities might not actually be co-
specific. The taxonomy of these insects is therefore shrouded in
uncertainty and there is an urgent need for a revision of the entire genus,
but only after having examined specimens from all the type localities at
least!
Whatever their status or names, these insects are fascinating and easy
to breed in captivity. In the wild in Singapore, they have been found
feeding on leaves of Curculigo latifolia (Hypoxidaceae), Dieffenbachia sp.
(Araceae), Uncaria gambir (Rubiceae), Aidia wallichiana (Rubiaceae),
Uroph{;llum glabrum (Rubiaceae), Daemonorops cf. did\;moph\;lla
(Palmae) and Scindapsus aureus (Araceae). In the United Kingdom, the
insects have been reared successfully on Aroids (Araceae) and the
Wandering Jew (P.D. Brock; pers. comm.).
I am grateful to Mr Tay Eng Pin, Senior Research Taxonomist,
National Parks Board, Singapore Botanic Gardens for help with the
identification of foodplants.
240
DECEMBER 1995
THE LARGE WHITE IN SOUTH AFRICA
by Phi! Grey (3820)
Coridon, Steppeshill, Langton Makrauers, Swanage, Dorset BH 19 SET.
On arrival at an eastern suburb of Cape Town in February 1995, the first
butterfly I saw in the garden was a female Large White (Pieris brassicae).
It was of normal English size and markings and it transpired that these
butterflies were to be seen passing by every one or two minutes and
sometimes t'vvo or three at a time.
This species is not supposed to occur in South Africa and they were
certainly not present in Cape Town in February 1994 so I went to
Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens, also east of Cape Town, and to
the Company Gardens in the centre of the city; in both places the Large
white was to be seen in great numbers.
On a visit to friends to the west of the city, the lady had lost three rows
of cabbages in her garden and was left only with the "forks" . She was far
from amused! I pointed out three unmistakable batches of eggs laid
beneath the "forks", at which stage I began to feel that she was blaming
me for being a "butterfly-man"!
I sought out the entomologist in his office at Kirstenbosch Gardens and,
although he was not a lepidopterist, he had heard that the Large white
had been seen in the Cape Peninsula since the previous August. He did
not seem unduly perturbed when I suggested that, as the butterfly
probably had no natural predators in South Africa, a plague of pest
proportions might arise.
It would be interesting to know whether any of our widespread
membership has heard of this phenomenon or knows how it came about.
There is a similar story in reverse involving the little brown South
African Lycaenid, Cacyreus marshalli, which lays its eggs on Pelargonium
flowers. This species arrived in Spain and its islands four years ago and
has become a pest to Pelargonium growers. It was possibly exported from
the Cape among Pelargonium flowers but one cannot imagine anyone
sending infected cabbage leaves to Cape Town.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
241
A FURTHER NOTE ON BLACK-VEINED WHITE
AGGREGATIONS IN CENTRAL FINLAND
by Leigh Plester (2968)
BioFilm Ltd, Yla-Muuratjdrvi, 41800 Korpilahti, Finland.
Having written a note (Bulletin 53: 286-7), accompanied by a
photograph showing a small group of Black-veined whites (Aporia
crataegi) imbibing at wet mud, I was delighted to see a colour photo
accompanying a short article entitled "Butterflies like a snow storm" in
issue 6-7 1994 of Suomen Luonto (Nature of Finland) magazine. The
slide had been sent in by a horse rider and showed three other young
ladies on horseback clearly passing through a cloud of some 200-300 of
the same butterflies! The ground in the picture looks much drier than the
area in which I observed my individuals but lies in the same vicinity at
Korpilahti, Central Finland. Finland's leading butterfly expert, Dr Kauri
Mikkola of the University of Helsinki, replied to the young lady's query
regarding why butterflies "by the thousand" had congregated on a track
used annually by horses and their riders and I am grateful to him for
permission to translate part of his reply here.
"This is a wonderful observation!" enthuses Dr Mikkola, "as the species
dwindled alarmingly in the 1960s, not returning until the 1970s, and then
mainly to south-eastern Finland, where its population had been
abundant. Gathering in large flocks is typical of the species, but we can
only guess as to its nature. The Black-veined white lives in colonies: in
some places they are extremely abundant but in similar places elsewhere
they are scarce or absent. In addition to roads. Black-veined whites may
also gather on flowers or trees to rest for the night.
"Presumably the following conditions have to be met for flocking to
take place: (1) open gravel or sand, ie normally a road, in a peaceful spot
close to the breeding place, (2) the collection of moisture from previous
rain, often with small dried puddles, (3) nitrogen-containing substances
dissolved in the ground from animal droppings and urine, (4) social
behaviour draws the insects together."
He goes on to say that the gathering spot is almost always a road or, as
in this case, a bridle path. Horses are also ridden along the dirt road
where I found the individuals mentioned in my article. The ideas I put
forward on the subject seem to be not too far off the mark, in view of Dr
Mikkola's further comment that "The social aspect comes out in the
following minor event: ten years ago I watched a lorry in the Altai
242
DECEMBER 1995
mountains come along a lonely road and drive into a Black-veined white
swami. damaging one buttei'fly. which was transponed ten metres away
from the original gathering place. Immediately the flying butterflies began
to land next to this injured specimen, even though there had been none
of the butterflies there before." He ends by saying that although the
females are known to pair immediately after emergence, flocking would
help to ensure that mating takes place.
MORE LEPIDOPTERA FROM GLASGOW
by Frank McGann (62911
Recently 1 found som^e Grey dagger lar\'ae on hauihorn and then shortly
afteiwards another one on sycamore. The laner was resting on the upper
surface of one the leaves of a sycamore sapling, a foot or so high,
gi'owing behind a mesh fence. The following day I found another Grey
dagger laiva about the same size as the first i.e. about half-grown, on
another sycamore sapling near to the first one.
Whilst 1 was out at Possil Park. Glasgow with friends. I noticed some
sallow bushes gi-owing amongst paving and against a wall. I recognised
lea\-es that had been eaten by Saully laivae. a lot of which were present.
On one of the sallow leaves I noticed large droppings of frass. I at once
suspected a much larger laR'a and sure enough on the sallow in question
I saw a full-grown Poplai- hawkmoth cateipillar. It was resting near the
cenn-e of the bush, and I collected it. I searched for some more and higher
up on the same sallow bush I found another, slightly smaller than the first.
This I also collected, and ha\-e both laivae in separate flower pots with
eanh from the garden plus of course leaves for them to feed on. I put in
sallow, birch and garden rose leai-es. The laivae are beautifully marked
and look in perfect condition. I have found Poplar hawkmoth larvae
before, again on sallow, a tree of which grew in the garden of my
previous house in Wellhouse Crescent. Easterhouse. There I also found
the eggs of the moth and the perfect insect or imago.
Regarding the Grey dagger laivae. I have found these on trees other
than their usual hawthorn. I've seen them on apple, oak. wild rose,
hornbeam, lime, elm and now sycamore. The laivae I found on elm were
at a place near Arbroath in north-east Scotland, whilst on holiday in
1970. At that location then. I picked up a piece of almost rotten branch
from the ground near the elm trees. I broke it in two with my hands and
inside was a Grey dagger larva which must have bored its way inside to
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
243
HEATH FRITILLARY ABERRATIONS IN 1994
by Lee & Derek Slaughter
On 16th June, 1994 we visited Luckett Nature Reserve in east Cornwall
to see the Heath fritiilary butterfly. The butterfly is one of Britain's rarest
and is fully protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act
1981. We are very fortunate to have this fine reserve in our county which
supports healthy numbers of this beautiful butterfly and our visit on this
particular afternoon we forecast should be at about peak flight time for
this season. Luck was on our side; no sooner had we reached the area
which supports the main colony than dozens of Heath fritiilary butterflies
were gracefully flying around us. The colour of this species is orange
marked with black on the upper wings and the tips of the antennae
orange. We managed to obtain a number of photographs of this butterfly
and were attempting to photograph a late Small pearl-bordered fritiilary
when something caught our eye. It looked like a dwarf Ringlet butterfly. It
was dark chocolate/black in colour and was flitting slowly between some
shoots of bracken. We followed it for a few seconds and watched it settle
on an open leaf of bracken. When it opened its wings, we looked at it and
then at each other without uttering a word. It suddenly dawned on me
that it was a male Heath fritiilary with no orange marking on the
upperside at all. Upon close examination we could see that there were
five very faint spots no bigger than pinheads on the margin of the upper
hindwing but the rest of the upperside was completely melanic (excess of
dark suffusion/markings). Strangely enough the specimen was more
willing to let us photograph it than most normal specimens and a number
of slides were taken of it. It was also quite friendly and stayed within an
area of 50 square yards or so leaving us with over an hour to observe this
obviously rare variation of the Heath fritiilary. Upon checking in my
library upon returning home 1 can confirm that the first mention of this
aberration was by F.W. Frowhawk in his book Varieties of British
Butterflies published in 1938 under the name "navarina" selys - Long.
He showed two known examples of this aberration both caught in 1936 -
one in Essex and one in Kent. Another specimen was caught at this very
locality (Luckett) in 1978 by A.P. Gainsford who described it under the
name cijmothoe extreme. This particular specimen was sold several years
agounder Department of Environment licence for a considerable sum of
money and hence stresses the extreme rarity of this particular butterfly.
Another two aberrant specimens were also seen later that same afternoon but
both not nearly as extreme as the above-mentioned specimen. I myself re-
visited the same locality two days later and, after much searching, found and
244
DECEMBER 1995
photographed iusi one more quite superb aberrant male Heath fritillarv' and.
although not as extreme as the cymoihoe extreme aberration seen two days
previously, the specimen ivas still dark brown black all over except for
m.arginal spots on the upper hindwing and bright orange marks near the
margin of the upper forewing.
My father and 1 consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have seen not
one. but four quite extreme aberrations of this nationally endangered
buttenly. It does seem, sn-ange that all four butterflies were m.ales and I would
conclude too that the occurrence of these specimens could probably be
attributed to veiy changeable weather conditions earlier in the year. There
were several seasons in the 19705 when A. P. Gainsford captured some
exn'em.e aberrations of this species 'before the species was protected from
capture by law in 1981' for which 1 think he tried to draw his own conclusions
as to the cause of the occmTence of them in certain seasons only. If anyone
else has ever witnessed any similar sighting at this site then please let me
know whether it be this season or noti as further study on this subject could
make somie interesting flndings.
A REVIEW OF THE NEW PERMANENT EXHIBIT OF
INSECTS AT OXFORD
by Murray Eilond (9731)
:V::sc'' C:::eze. 0:-z- 0:<2 cl'J.
It is a rare exhibit that operates on m.any levels - without sacrificing
accuracy - and effectively conveys a complex subject in simple termis.
Such an exhibition has been designed by Dr George McGavin and Jo
Liddard. at the University- Museum in Oxford Such success, sadly, has
not been the rule. Many museums that have changed the format of their
permanent exhibitions have opted for the user-friendly "interactive
exhibits", which almost without exception brings the level of description
down to the stunningly obvious. At the same time they are often poorly
understood, and cleady do not address the interest of the target audience.
Such is not the case at Oxford, where a range of materials, from
specimens, models, charts, photographs and micrographs, are used to
convey the range of the subject effectively. The photographs are
particularly good, which is hardly suiprising. as a number are from the
AES BULLETIN, VoL54
245
there are informative captions, and further notes in bold face type. A
good example is near a photograph of a flower mantid. The note reminds
the viewer that mantids are the only insects able to see over their
shoulder. This bit of information, when taken with the photograph, leads
the viewer to question and explore the information at his/her disposal.
Clearly stated on the caption, and clear from the photo, mantids have a
range of adaptations designed to capture prey.
Such organisation is not only used on a small scale. The exhibit starts
with the standard definition of "The Arthropoda", and then presents the
insect orders. Starting with Archaeognatha, commonly known as the
bristletails, the reader is presented with a dossier of facts. The Greek/Latin
names are explained, the (average) size of the insect is given, and
development and distribution are covered, along with the numbers of
families and species. Identification is divided into two parts, adult and
nymph, and the habitat and biology of the order is summarised. Each
category for each family is clearly presented, and major topics of interest
are introduced within the body of the exhibit.
Instead of presenting separate displays covering such aspects as colour,
for instance, these themes are integrated with the order that best
illuminates them. The Orthoptera were chosen to demonstrate the various
ways in which colour can be used. Warning colours, flash coloration and
eyespots, and cryptic coloration, were all illustrated by grasshoppers. This
method was very successful at making these concepts clear, and at the
same time interesting to any audience. It is even notable that this exhibit
includes Phasmids, an order that has been generally neglected in such
presentations, and one that is dear to many amateur entomologists.
Overall the display can only be appreciated as a complete success, and
by the number of people attracted to the hitherto unknown upper level of
the museum, this appears to be the opinion of the majority. The only
complaint to be directed towards what is certainly the best exhibit in the
University Museum is that it does not occupy about half the space of the
museum. Given that insects make up perhaps 56 per cent of known life
forms, a case could be made for proportional representation.
A DATE FOR YOUR 1996 DIARY
AES 1996 Exhibition on Saturday 5th October 1996.
Everyone is welcome to attend this highly enjoyable event at Kempton
Park Racecourse, Staines Road, Sunbury, Middlesex. Entry is free for all
Society members.
246
DECEMBER 1995
LARVAL FINDINGS IN GLASGOW
by Frank McGann (6291)
On 26th September 1994 my friend Margaret and I visited Robroyston
which is situated just north-east of Glasgow. There is a new housing
estate there and the surrounding countryside is lovely. Before we left the
bus stop I searched the leaves of a smallish beech tree growing nearby.
Resting on the underside and in the middle of one of the leaves there was
a large beautiful green larva. I had not seen this species before and was
impressed by its beauty and form. It was approximately one inch in
length and had a largish head with markings along the middle of its back.
I examined it closely and put it in my container with beech leaves and
twigs.
I then searched a hawthorn hedgerow on the way to the area I
intended to search for caterpillars. At this particular site (which is a lane
bordered with hawthorn and some beech trees and sallows) I had
collected blackberries when I was a child, but hadn't returned since.
Margaret and I then sat at the base of a beech tree on the edge of the
lane. Whilst searching the twigs and leaves of this tree I found resting on a
twig a specimen of Coxcomb prominent larva - which looked almost full-
grown. I took it from the tree and put it in my container.
Further along the country lane I found another Coxcomb prominent,
this time on sallow. It was also almost fully-fed. I noticed the different
coloration of the two larvae, the one from the beech having reddish tinges
to it, and the one from the sallow being decidedly greener. Both were
very beautiful larvae.
Still further along at an opening to a grassy field I found a Tiger moth
caterpillar on thistle. It was resting on the stem about half-way up, and
was smaller than the one I had previously found at Easterhouse. It had
star-like tufts of blackish hairs and a small black head. It could have been
a Buff ermine caterpillar.
On a day when 1 wasn't expecting to find much, I found four good
caterpillars. Long may the fine weather continue!
The green caterpillar 1 had found on the beech tree at the bus-stop is
the Green silver lines - 1 looked up the description in my entomology
books, and found it described with a colour illustration in The Moths and
Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland (Vol. 9). It is also described in
South's Moths of the British Isles (Series 1).
DECEMBER 1995
COLOUR SECTION
Fig. 1. A female oil beetle digging.
Fig. 2. Female Anthophora retosa.
PLATE 95U
COLOUR SECTION
DECEMBER 1995
Fig. 3. Viel^■ along ihe ciiri-pam.
Fig. 4. The Two-tailed pasha.
DECEMBER 1995
COLOUR SECTION
Fig. 5. Nyany Camp. Jonglei Province, southern Sudan, aerial view, showing paucity of
woody vegetation, dry season, January 1982, including sites of mounds and seasonal pools.
i A, ■ i.Li-- --
Fig. 6. The Emperor moth G\;nanisa jama, sensu Pinhey, 1968 form/esta Rougeot. 1978
found at rest in grass by day, Bor woodlands, Jonglei Province, southern Sudan.
PLATE 95W
COLOUR SECTION
DECEMBER 1995
Fig. /. Laivae of Bunea alcinoe feeding in Balanites aeg\;piiaca tree.
iii'-'t IlmvlI iTosi-moiiL'm: wvo lai\'ae of Bunea aicinoe and a road found in
stomach.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
247
THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE ON THE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE NORTHERN EGGAR MOTH, LASiOCAMPA
QUERCUS CALLUNAE, AND THE WIDER IMPLICATIONS
by Paul Waring (4220)
I was very interested to read Brian Winslade's comments about his
experiences rearing the Northern eggar at raised temperatures and with
fridge treatments [Bulletin 53: 59-60). His results demonstrate clearly that
given strong cues in the form of drastic temperature changes, the race is
capable of developing much faster than in the wild. The raised
temperatures enable faster rates of metabolism and therefore growth, a
common experience with the Lepidoptera. The mechanisms by which
insects ensure that the adults emerge together, at an appropriate time to
mate and lay eggs, and that hatching of eggs coincides with the correct
stage of the larval foodplants, have always been a source of fascination -
about which much has now been written in the scientific literature.
Sometimes these mechanisms are simply temperature dependent, but the
photoperiod, ie the length of daylight, at critical stages of development, is
often influential, and other factors may also be involved. A period at a
low temperature is often needed to trick the insects into developing as if
they had experienced winter; an hour or two in the fridge is unlikely to do
it. This whole subject remains a source of wonder and experimentation.
The synchronisation of insect development is not just of entomological
interest. It has much wider repercussions. How many people realise that
the spring birdsong that we all enjoy relates directly to generations of
Winter moth larvae and other abundant insects on trees and shrubs
recognising the cues and timing of spring bud-burst? If the caterpillars get
it right, they can capitalise on the short-lived supply of nutritious young
leaves. Many of the insectivorous birds which fill the woodlands with song
in defending their breeding territories coincide their broods to cash in on
the abundance of spring larvae. As the leaves on trees and bushes get
bigger and tougher and accumulate unpalatable chemicals, their food
value declines, so there are major advantages to moths in correctly timing
the laying and hatching of their eggs. If the larvae get it wrong and hatch
before bud-burst, they may starve to death. When this happens on a large
scale, young birds sometimes die in their nests because the parents simply
cannot find enough food for the family. This is no concern to the larvae
of course, but merely a knock-on effect. Moth eggs are like little time-
bombs set to go off at the right moment. However, to put the eggs in
place so that they are ready to hatch in the spring, the adult moths may
fly in the summer, autumn, winter or spring, depending on the species.
248
DECEMBER 1995
Other species do not exploit the first spring leaf growth, but nevertheless
have their characteristic times of appearance. The adults of each species
of moth are presumably at an advantage appearing together when they
do and they need to get it right to find a mate - another set of cues and
another source of fascination. What is quite clear from experiments like
Brian's is that the time taken to get from egg to adult moth and the
duration of each stage is flexible and can be reduced or extended by
environmental factors.
FURTHER STAFFORDSHIRE LIME HAWKMOTHS
by Jan Kor\;szko (6089)
Since my last report in Bulletin 53: 129. further Lime hawkmoths (Mimas
tiliae) have been reported. On 12th June 1994 1 found a dead moth on
the road by the Cinderhill Industrial Estate, close to Weston Sprink. The
following evening I found another moth sitting outside a shop window in
Longton town centre.
But the most remarkable records again came from Normacot Longton.
Steve Chapman, a local schoolboy, who is a very keen entomologist,
reported a number of moths from Watery Lane. Normacot. where quite a
few lime trees grow. Steve also found larvae and dug up pupae in the
autumn at the base of the trees.
Since 1992 this species has become much more widespread in the
Longton. Normacot and Meir areas of north Staffordshire.
EARLY LEPIDOPTERAL SIGHTINGS
by Rosalind Hodge
On Sunday 19th March at 1.30pm I was surprised to see C\;nthia cardui
in my garden. I was able positively to identify it, as I grabbed my folding
net and was able to catch it.
On 1st April at 5.30pm at Wakehurst Place. Ardingly. West Sussex a
bright unworn specimen of Vanessa atalanta alighted on the grass about
four feet from me.
Both these days were extremely warm with brilliant sunshine and I
thought it rather early in the season to see these varieties.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
249
PUFFIN ISLAND EXPEDITION
by Colin Jones
Being a light-trapping fanatic, and always on the lookout for unusual and
virgin territory, especially the latter, I have, for the past few years, longed
to light-trap Puffin Island which lies off the north-east coast of Anglesey in
Gwynedd. Even more so since I was informed by Bangor University, that
it had never been done before.
I applied for permission from the owner, who granted me an open
permit for July and August, providing I made a small donation to the
RNLI which seemed quite fair and who knows, I may need their services
out there.
The island is not easily accessible, due to the meeting tides and being
at the head of the Menai Straits, which is notorious for its current at the
best of times.
Luckily, I have a friend, Dave Phillips, who owns a tough sea-going
vessel. The Three Brothers who offered to take me as close as possible
and from the boat to the island in a punt.
As I had a two-month permit, and providing I telephoned The Estate
office, prior to our visit, we could watch the weather, combined with tides
and take the opportunity almost immediately, work permitting.
It wasn't until late July, that everything fell into place. The weather was
calm and humid, the tides were perfect and my moth-trap at home was
producing large numbers. So it seemed we couldn't fail to catch one or
two species, even on an island in the Irish Sea.
So at 6.30pm on the 29th July, we weighed anchor in Conway
harbour and headed for Puffin Island, a good two hours away.
Dave had circled the island in the boat previously, and found the
landing place, but he had reservations about leaving the boat for too
long, in case the anchor dragged. So it was decided we would get on the
island, set up the trap and generator as quickly as possible, then move
away to the north-west, where anchoring would be more reliable.
It's strange when you see the island from the mainland how small it
looks, but as we approached, it seemed like a mountain rising up out of
the sea. On the cliffs, there were Shags and Cormorants, shoulder to
shoulder in their hundreds. There were seals on the shore, Puffins in the
water and a Manx shearwater flew past as a Fulmar circled the boat.
250
DECEMBER 1995
We landed on the single beach at around 8.30pm and thought the
worst part was over. There is a footpath but to even get on it, you
firsthave to stand on a large rock, not easy with a moth-trap and
generator. Once on the path, it's up, up and up. There were many rest
camps on the way, as we paused for breath and to wipe the sweat
away.
The island habitat was not what I was led to believe. There were
Elders that overgrew the path, forming tunnels over our heads, nettle
and long grasses, teazle and a strong smell of rotten bird droppings.
We eventually came to a clearing near the top, just as dusk was falling
and decided this was far enough. After setting up the trap and trappings,
we returned to find the boat exactly where we had left it. So far so good.
As we moved away from the island, it was almost dark and we could
see the bushes glow by the light of the trap, which we had sited on the
north-west side. So, with all being well, we settled down for the night,
near Red Wharf Bay and proceeded to fish through the night, until just
before dawn.
At about 4.30am we put the kettle on and made our way back with
high hopes. The weather was still calm and warm as we again sweated
our way to the top of the island. On approaching the trap, I could see
Garden tigers and Swallow-tailed moths, on the bushes and grass
surrounding it. A good ten minutes were spent counting and noting these
down before I got near the trap. Being a home-made portable, the trap
isn't very big, about 18 inches square and when 1 looked inside, it
seemed full to the brim with moths.
I lost a few on taking the lid off but the final count was 482 of 42
species. 1 have been informed since, by Mrs M.J. Morgan of Bangor
University, that only two or three of the species caught have been
recorded before, during hand-netting in the hours of daylight. No rarities
perhaps but at least the species list for Puffin Island has been increased
by about 40.
Eight specimens of one species defied identification and 1 sent one to
Bernard Skinner, who was also baffled and forwarded it to the British
Museum. They identified it on genitalia as Crescent dart.
We made a return visit on 27th August but the weather turned rough
in the night and just 27 of five species were recorded. Even so, two more
species were added to the list of the previous visit.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
251
The species list and total for the two nights are as follows:
Lasiocampidae
Lackey Malacosoma neustria (19)
Drinker Euthrix potatoria (8)
Geometridae
Common emerald
Hemithea aestivaria (1)
Small fan -footed wave
Idaea bisehta (1)
Single dotted wave
/. dimidiata (1)
Riband wave
/. auersata (7)
Dark-barred
twin-spot carpet
Xanthorhoe ferrugata ( 1 )
Garden carpet
X. fluctuata (1)
Ypllr>\A; shpll
C^nYyiYifrinynniYyin hiliyii^ntn (^]
1 I^JukJ^I Lit 1 If I IKJ. Ullll iC-di-LX \ /
Wormwood pug
Eupithecia absinthiata (2)
Bordered pug
E. succentuhata (1)
V-pug
Chloroclijstis v-ata (1)
Early thorn
Selenia dentaria (4)
Scalloped oak
Crocallis elinguaria (z)
bwallow-tailed motii
J. _ _ I_ • /10\
Uurapterux sambucana (18)
Willow beauty
Fenbatodes rhomboidaria (15)
Engrailed
Ectropis bistortata (8)
Arctiidae
Common footman
Eilema luhdeola (5)
Garden tiger
Arctia caja (71)
Noctuidae
Heart & club
Agrotis clauis (6)
Crescent dart
A. trux (17)
Large yellow underwing
Noctua pronuba (16)
Lesser yellow underwing
N. comes (2)
Lesser broad-bordered
yellow underwing
N.janthe (11)
Least yellow underwing
N. interjecta (11)
Small square -spot
Diarsia rubi (2)
Square-spot rustic
Xestia xanthographa (12)
Brown-line bright-eye
Mythimna conigera (13)
Clay
M. f err ago (8)
Smoky wainscot
M. impura (53)
IVIouse moth
Amphfpyra tragopogonis (53)
Straw underwing
Thalpophila matura (1)
Dark arches
Apamea monogi\;pha (1)
Light arches
A. lithox]jlaea (3)
Cloaked minor
MesoHgia furuncula (10)
252
DECEMBER 1995
Common rustic
The Uncertain
Mottled rustic
Pale mottled willow
Burnished brass
Silver-Y
The Spectacle
Straw dot
The Snout
Mesapamea secalis (78)
Hoplodrino alsines (2)
Caradrina morpheus (1)
C. clauipalpis (1)
Diachr{;sia chri^sitis (20)
Autographa gamma (3)
Abrostola thplasia (5)
Rivula sericealis (1)
Hypena proboscidalis (27)
On the second visit, we were asked by Mrs Morgan at Bangor
University to collect insect samples, leaf litter etc. We managed to find a
weevil which is very uncommon for the whole area (Barynotus obscurus).
So what we lost in moths, we made up for in weevils and it wasn't a
wasted journey after all.
Many thanks to the following for making the whole thing possible: Sir
Richard Williams-Bulkeley, owner of Puffin Island. Dave Phillips, Skipper
of The Three Brothers sailing vessel, without whose help I would never
have got the trap and trappings onto the island. He is also now a budding
moth enthusiast! Mrs M.J. Morgan at Bangor University for her help and
information. Also to Bernard Skinner and the British Museum for their
help in identification.
MASS PHORESY BY PSEUDOSCORPIONS
by Toriy King (9094)
"A wide distribution, a cryptolic life, intricate structure, characteristic
habits, mysteries and puzzles in plenty, all this builds up to the biology of
a group of wholly delightful creatures." So said Theodore Savory of the
Arachnid order Pseudoscorpiones (Savory, 1977). So why do many
entomologists, amateur and professional alike, seem to know very little
about the hugely intriguing habits of pseudoscorpions? Perhaps it is
because they are not insects. Or that they are not very big. Or that they
are not venomous to anything larger than small invertebrates. Or even
that, as Peter Weygoldt bluntly points out, "no species seems to be of
direct importance to man" (Weygoldt, 1969). Whatever the reason, it is
an unjustifiable ignorance, for anyone who flirts even briefly with the
study of pseudoscorpions is invariably snared into a romantic infatuation
with them. "Their deliberate, almost pompous progress, alternating with
rapid backward dartings, is like nothing else in the animal kingdom.'"
Weygoldt, indeed, was led to write an entire book devoted to
pseudoscorpion biology. And now, less than a month after encountering
live pseudoscorpions for the first time, I am writing an article about them
for the Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Societi;.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
253
Although this article is concerned with a behaviour known as "phoresy"
(one for the dictionary!), a browse through Weygoldt's delightfully written
book reveals pseudoscorpions as exhibiting many diverse and eccentric
behaviours, such as their ability to run backward much faster than
forward, or the ability of some species to transfer sperm without mating
while other species conduct elaborate and intimate mating dances (one of
which being so exhaustive as to necessitate a ten-minute siesta during the
performance). It is for me here only to tease your inquisitiveness with the
wonders of pseudoscorpion biology, and to encourage a lazy afternoon's
leisurely read through the literature for yourself.
One misty Bishop's Stortford morning, following the bitterly cold night
of 14th October 1994, I discovered in my m.v. light trap a fly carrying no
less than five pseudoscorpions on one leg. The fly's mobility seemed
detrimentally affected by the one-sided load, and it strikes me as an
impressive feat on the fly's part to have found its way into the trap,
especially considering that the temperature had been so low as to restrict
the moth catch to just two individuals.
This habit of "hitch-hiking" (Danahar, 1991) by certain pseudoscorpion
species appears to be very frequent, at least during a certain time of the
year (Savory, 1977) and especially by mature females (Weygoldt, 1969).
Indeed one exhibit in the "British Natural History" exhibition at the
Natural History Museum, London informs the reader that the
pseudoscorpion species Lamprochernes nodosus is "often seen attached to
the legs of flies in houses and office buildings." 1 did wonder, however,
what proportion of the general public who read this would be able to agree
that they had often seen Lamprochernes nodosus attached to the legs of
flies in their house or office building. But if only they were to look . . .
Data on the "carrying capacity" of flies in terms of potential numbers of
pseudoscorpion passengers was rather harder to come by. Danahar
(1991) and Eitschberger (1994) both report just single individuals, while
Bailey (1865), despite frequent observation of common houseflies, never
found more than two on one fly. However, Savory (1977) refers to a
study by Vachon in 1932 which reports 78 pseudoscorpions on the legs
of 57 harvestmen in one week, with the highest number on one
harvestman being eight. How they were distributed in terms of numbers
on each leg is not stated, but I suspect that five on one leg of a flying
insect, as with my fly, must be approaching the limit of potential hitch-
hiker load. One wonders whether a more even distribution of
pseudoscorpions across the fly's legs would increase the number a fly
could carry during flight. Carrying capacity would almost certainly also be
dependent on the size of the fly, and therefore could vary greatly between
different species.
254
DECEMBER 1995
Over the years, several reasons for phoretic behaviour by
pseudoscorpions have been suggested. Bailey (1865), somewhat
confused as to the identity of his house-fly passengers, describes his
excellently illustrated pseudoscorpion as an "insect of parasitic nature . . .
extremely like Tenebrio mohtor, the beetle of the mealworm; both are of
a red-brown colour." However, with the advantage of considerable
hindsight, we can agree with his description in his assertion of their
colour. Some authors suggest phoresy may arise from attempted
predation of the carrier, but this seems unlikely as the pseudoscorpions
tend neither to injure nor feed on the fly (Weygoldt, 1969; Savory, 1977),
despite the potency of their venom (most species have poison glands in
their pedipalps or "pincers"), and its speed of action. From Savory's
experience "A victim once bitten seems to be at once immobilised; and
one has seen a spider, swinging on its thread, and coming into
momentary contact with a false scorpion much smaller than itself, die
instantaneously when it was bitten. It is tempting to claim for false
scorpions that in proportion to their size, they are the most venomous of
all the Arachnida." It would appear, then, that phoratic behaviour is
unlikely to arise from a failed attempt to injure the host, but rather that
the flies are specifically used as transport to aid dispersal, "an office for
which they are admirably adapted from their erratic character. Nobody
can tell what sorts of places and company they do not visit in their
wanderings" (Bailey 1865). Indeed! However, some effort has since been
made to map the activities of flies, and following these Savory (1977)
warns of making assumptions about actual distances travelled by flies.
Nevertheless, the dispersal capacity of a fly is surely much larger than that
of the wingless pseudoscorpion (Danahar, 1991), and for the generalist
species at least there should be no specific requirements for the
destination save for the presence of a community of small arthropod prey
(e.g. spring-tails, psocids. even head-lice (Weygoldt, 1969)).
Finally, a cautionary note on the topic from Graham Bailey (1865).
"Queer-looking insects are always turning up in unexpected places, and I
have no doubt many of them are dropped by the flies! It is probable that
by this means many of these 'odds and ends' find their way into the
human stomach, and produce various disorders in the skin."
So be warned!
REFERENCES
Bailey. M. (1865). Fly parasites. Science Gossip, 1:227.
Danahar, G.W. (1991). A pseudoscorpion hitch-hiker. Bull. Amat. Ent. Soc. 50: 277-278.
Eitschberger. U. (1994). Another case of a pseudoscorpion hitch-hiker. Bull. Amat. Ent. Soc.
53: 187.
Savory, T.H. (1977). Arachnida. 2nd Edition. Academic Press.
Weygoldt, P. (1969). The biolog\; of pseudoscorpions. Haivard University Press.
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SOME EMPEROR MOTHS (SATURNIIDAE) OF THE
SOUTHERN SUDAN
by Paul Waring (4220)
1366 Lincoln Road. Werrington. Peterborough PE4 6LS.
Introduction
From January 1981 until February 1983 I lived at a place called Nyany
(Plate95W, Fig. 5), in Jonglei Province, southern Sudan, working on an
ecological impact study of the Jonglei Canal, the results of which can be
found in Howell et al. (1988) which also included photographs of the
area. During my spare time I recorded the Lepidoptera of the area
around the bush camp in which we were based. I had regular
opportunities to find saturniid moths and their larvae by day during
butterfly monitoring on a fixed route of approximately 1km in length
encircling the camp. This route was walked once and sometimes twice per
week. The route was always commenced between 14.00 and 14.30
hours, was only attempted on fine days with sunshine and took between
one and two hours to complete.
Data on nocturnal moths were collected using a standard black plastic
Robinson trap with 125W MB/U bulb. This was operated from dusk,
around 18.00 hours, to between 22.00 and 23.00 hours, at least twice a
week, as a rule, occasionally as late as 00.30 hours or even 01.30 hours.
Power was supplied from the camp generator while it was operated to
provide evening light for the camp. Owing to shortage of fuel it was rarely
possible to operate the generator, and hence the trap, all night, although
one or two all-night sessions were achieved for comparative purposes.
The light trap was inspected soon after dark and once or twice more
before it was time to switch off the power. The trap was not manned
continuously, partly because of the large numbers of mosquitoes, but a
good search was carried out around the trap and on the wall of a hut
illuminated by the trap on each inspection. The catch was sorted and
recorded before the power was switched off and then the trap was packed
away, so moths were recorded even if they did not reach or enter the
trap. Searches for nectar flowers by day and at dusk were also
undertaken, though of course saturniid adults do not feed, and any
Lepidoptera and their larvae that entered the camp or came my way
during casual observations were noted.
During this time saturniid moths were notable by their almost complete
absence from the light trap catches. Some have a reputation for flying late
at night (A. McCrae and A. Bjornstad pers. comm.) and it is possible that
256
DECEMBER 1995
some were missed because the trap could not be operated all night.
However, some were seen flying after dark, usually into lighted rooms in
the camp, not especially late, and the details are given below. A few Vvere
encountered as adults by day and one species was numerous as laivae on
one of the trees in the camp in both years of study. An all-night trap
session on the edge of the swamps to the west of Nyany on 5 6th June
1982 revealed that some sphingids arrived between 22.00 hours and
midnight but there was virtually no moth activity after midnight and no
saturniids were seen on this occasion. A similar result was obtained when
the trap was operated in Nyany camp until 01.30 on the night of 26 27th
June 1981. The impression was that, as a group, the Saturniidae were
not well represented in the area around the camp, the site and habitat
details of which are given below. Only three species of saturniid were
seen there. In view of the paucity of recent moth records from southern
Sudan. I have taken the opportunity to include records of additional
saturniid moths seen in the woodlands just north of Bor and. outside
Jonglei Province, on the outskirts of Juba. the capital of southern Sudan.
These raise the total to five species. One of these. Pseudcphelia
apoUinaris simplex, was initially thought to be the first record for Sudan
(A. McCrae pers. comm.) but a single specimen from Wau. Bahr el
Ghazel Province, dating from 1918 has since been located in the National
Collections.
Site details
Nyany is situated between Bor and Kongor in Jonglei Province, at
approximate latitude 6°52'N longitude 31°25"E. A map is given in
Waring (1992, p. 265). Nyany is an old Dinka cattle-camp some 80km
north of Bor and 10km east of the old village of Jonglei. the latter,
surprisingly, being marked on most atlases. During the period of the study
Nyany was the base camp of the Jonglei Ecological Research Team, and
consisted of a number of mud huts and an unsurfaced access road (Plate
95W. Fig. 5). Bor and Kongor were the nearest settlements of any size,
being small towns with local ti'aders. However the area was inhabited by
the Dinka. who live and move between scattered mud-huts, grass-roofed
cattle byres and seasonally occupied camp-sites.
Bor is a small market town, principally of mud huts but some more
permanent buildings, government offices and moorings and loading areas
for boats on the Nile. Roads were unsurfaced. Bor is situated at
approximately 6° lO'N 31 '40E.
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257
During work I visited Juba on a number of occasions each year. Some
moths were collected at the lights of the laboratory of the UN Project
Development Unit, where there was a 24 hour electricity supply. This was
on the northern edge of Juba at approximately 4°56'N 31 °29'E.
One of the saturniid specimens was found at Panyagor, by Kongor, at
approximately 7°0rN 31°27'E, in habitat similar to that at Nyany.
Habitats
The camp at Nyany was 11km east of the permanent swamp system of
the Sudd, in an area of open grassland containing depressions which
filled with rainwater during the wet season. The area was a flat plain
scattered with termite mounds.
The grassland consisted principally of the grass Sporobolus puramidalis
P. Beauv. with C\jnodon dact\;Ion (L.) Pers., Echinochloa pijramidaUs
(Lam.) Hitchc. and Chase, and Setaria barbata (Lam.) Cunthe. amongst
other grasses. The wild rice Oryza longistaminata A. Chev. and Roehr.
was the principal species in the seasonally-flooded area to the west and
Hyparrhenia rufa (Nees) Stapf., a reddish grass when dry, reaching 2-3m
in height, was the dominant species of the plains to the east.
The principal larval foodplants of saturniid moths are various species
of trees and bushes. Such trees and shrubs as were present were confined
mainly to the termite mounds and included mainly various Acacia
species, of which A. seya/ DC, A. drepanolobium Harms ex Sjestedt. the
whistling thorn, and A. fistula Schweinf. were the most abundant.
Balanites aeg\;ptiaca (L.) Del., Cadaba farinosa Forsk., Calotropis procera
(Ait.) Ait.f., Capparis tomentosa Lam., Crataeua adamsonii Pliv., Grewia
tenax (Forsk.) Fiori, Hoslundia opposita Vahl., Salvadora persica L. and
Secrinega virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Baill. In addition to the Acacia spp.,
other known saturniid foodplants present included Piliostigma thonningii
(Schum.) Milne-Redhead, which was abundant in the Jonglei region
though particularly around the camp at Nyany, Ziziphus, represented by
Z. mauritiana Lam. abundant in the general area, and Z pubescens Oliv.,
which was occasional, Turraea nilotica Kotschy & Peyr., occasional in the
general area, and Combretum, represented by C. fragrans F. Hoffm.,
locally abundant in clumps of woodland, and C. aculeatum Vent., which
was seen occasionally in the area. The termite mounds around the camp,
which carried the all-important woody vegetation, were scattered at
distances of 50-100 metres from one another, sometimes more.
258
DECEMBER 1995
Climbers included ChasiiiGmhera dependens Hochsi.. Ipomoea
obscura [L.) Ker Gawl. and Kedrostis foeiidissima (Jacq.) Cogn.
Smaller broad-leaved plants included Abutilon figarianum Webb..
Cardiospermum halicacabum L.. Cassia mimosoides L.. Commelina
forskalei Vahl.. Crotalaria polysperma Kotschy ex. Schweinf.. Desmodium
hirtiim Guiil. and Perr.. Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq.. Hibiscus
cannabinus L.. Indigotera sienophylla Guill. and Pen'.. Ipomoea aquaiica
Forsk., Mimosa pigra L.. Pemairopis spiralis (Forsk. Dene.. Ponulaca
oleracea L.. Sida alba L.. Solanum incanum L. and Vigna luteola ^Jacq.)
Benth. amongst others.
The woodlands at Bor had a similar range of species but trees were
larger and more abundant and consisted of various Acacia species in
particular. These Acacia seya! woodlands were being felled and
ti-ansponed for use as building materials to construct the mud huts and
cattle byres on the plains to the north and east. There was a small copse
of similar habitat at Kopp. just south of Nyany. which had not been felled
by the Dinka because it was sacred. A map from 1952 shows that such
woodland was more extensive around Nyany at that time. Floods in the
early 1960s are believed to have killed mar;.' z-ees on all but the higher
ground and termite mounds (Howell et al. 19SS ;.
The Project Development Unit (PDU) of the United Nations
Development Program^m-e ' UNDP^ at Juba consisted of a group of
permanent buildings in a fenced compound on a tlat plain in which most
of the vegetation had been cleared or overgi-azed. What remained around
the compound was Sporobo/us-dominated grassland with few herbs. The
sward was cut to keep it short in the wet season but became parched,
with much bare gi'ound. during the diy season. There were a few scrubby
bushes outside the compound, mainly Acacia spp. and Ziziphus.
Climate
In the above parts of southern Sudan there is a single, well-defined wet
season consisting of intermittent rains from May to October, preceded by
the odd shower in late April. The annual rainfall measured at Nyany was
738.5mm in 1981 and 776.8mm in 1982. July was the wettest month in
both years (213mm and 204mm respectively). December to early April is
the dry season, during which hardly any rain falls: maximum day-time
temperatures can soar to between 40-44 X in the shade, and much of the
grassland and vegetation becomes tinder-drv,'. Maximum temperatures of
30-40 °C were the norm during the rest of the year and minimum
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
259
temperatures seldom fell below 15-20°C at any time. There were
dramatic beginning and end points to the wet season at Nyany in 1982.
After isolated showers on 24th and 25th April, the first heavy rains fell on
2nd May (18mm), preceded by a dust storm, and the last rains ended,
accompanied by another strong wind, on 31st October, after which the
Dinka said almost immediately that the rains were now over. Days in
November were often muggy and there was much floodwater lying about
but the pools of floodwater and rainwater dried up over the subsequent
weeks. The rains brought a flush of grass growth and a great increase in
available cover for insects, snakes and other animals, with grass-cutting
beginning in ernest in mid-June to keep the camp clear.
The Saturniid moths
The Saturniid moths recorded at Nyany, Bor and Juba between January
1981 and February 1983 were those below, listed in taxonomic order,
following Pinhey (1975):
Subfamilx; Attacinae
Epiphora bauhiniae (Guerin-Meneville, 1982) form sudanica Le Cerf
(Nyany, Juba).
Subfamilx; Satumiinae
Pseudaphelia apoUinaris (Boisduval, 1847) form simplex Rebel, 1906
(Nyany only).
Usta terpsichore Maassen and Weymer, 1885 (Juba only).
Bunaea alcinoe (Stoll, 1782) (Nyany and Panyagor only).
Gynanisa jama, sensu Pinhey, 1968 nec Rebel, 1915 form festa Rougeot,
1978 (Bor and Juba) (Plate 95W, Fig. 6).
Imbrasia [Gonimbrasia auctt.] hecate (Rougeot, 1955) (Nyany, Kopp,
Juba).
Species accounts
Epiphora bauhiniae, the Southern atlas moth of Pinhey 1956 p. 4 and
1975 p.llO.
The species occurs as several forms which probably grade into one
another geographically: Pinhey (1975) attributes form vera to southern
260
DECEMBER 1995
and south cental Africa, aibarina from Tanzania and Kenya, bauhiniae
from equatorial West Africa and sudanica horn Sudan, all feeding as
larvae on various species of Ziziphus. for which foodplant there are many
supporting records. McCrae pers. comm..) questions Pinhey's view of the
geographical distiibution of the various forms. Form sudanica Le Cerf
1923 has been recorded from "near Khanoum.". but probably doss no:
occur in the bush country of the Suk. northern Uganda, as stated by
Pinhey (1975). It is described as having a reddish gi-ound colour at the
base of the wings, in contrast to the dark m.aroon in atbarina (Pinhey
1956). Both Q:bc.-'-:^'z and sudanica have the puiple coloration in the
middle of the tc : c , . ; ~ extending back to the n'ailing edge of the wing in a
broad belt, replacing m:uch o: the w'l^.ite patch present here in bauhiniae
(which was originally described as a separate species schultzei Aurivillius
1905"' - A, McCrae. pers. com.mi. In the rorm. bzuhiniae the purple
median patch only reaches the hind m.argin of the forewing as a thin line
which fades away. Form bcuhinae appeai-s to be more uidespread Lhan
Pinhey belie\-ed and extends from West Afiica into East Africa, so the
vernacular name of Southern atlas gi\'en by Pinhey is misleading.
I captured a female at light at the Project Development Unit (PDU).
Juba. on 4th August 1951. A second female was round in our lab hut at
Nyany on the morning of 21st May 1982. Both specim.ens were retained.
Both have large white patches between the puiple m.edian area and the
hind m.argin of the forewing so these mxOths conform, to form bauhiniae
rather than the peripheral formes aibarina of Tanzania and sudanica of
northern Sudan.
Bunaea alcinoe. the Common em.Deror of Pinhev 1956 p. 6 and 1975
p.114.
This is one of the m.ost widespread and adaptable of all the African
saturniids in that it extends from dry wooded grasslands to rainforest,
though it does not occur in quite such dry country' as E. bauhiniae [A.
McCrae pers. comm.^. It occurs commonly almost throughout the African
continent south of the Sahara. In Sudan it has been found as far north as
the Nuba Mountains. It has also been reported from Madagascar though
this refers to a separate species B. aslanga (A. McCrae pers. comm.). B.
alcinoe is a variable species, even within any given area. The larvae have
many recorded foodplants including Bauhinia, Croton. Cussonia.
Ekebergia. G\;mnosporia. HarpephvUum, Khai;a. Maesa and Terminalia
(Pinhey 1965. 1972. 1975). According to Pinhey (1975). the larvae are
commonly eaten as a relish, though he does not mention in which part of
Africa this occurs.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
261
Larvae were found feeding gregariously on the leaves of a large lone-
standing tree of the date palm Balanites aeg[;ptiaca at Nyany on 11th
November 1981 on my return from annual leave (Plate 95X, Fig. 7).
Larvae have also been found feeding on this plant in northern Uganda,
Zaire, coastal Kenya, the rift valley in Ethiopia and Nigeria (A. McCrae,
pers. comm.). The larvae at Nyany were later found wandering over the
ground below until 22nd November after which no more were seen.
Three were collected and all were keen to burrow below ground. Two
successfully pupated in earthen cells below the surface and one adult
emerged on 26th May 1982, after a tawny-yellowish form had flown to
the lighted mess window at 21.00 hours on 15th May 1982 and another
wild one had been found in the kitchen hut by the original tree on the
evening of 17th May 1982. Subsequently an adult was found at the mess
light by the Balanites tree at 19.00 hours on 8th October 1982 and
another on 11th October 1982 under the same tree soon after dawn (at
06.00 hours). On 15th October 1982 a male was found at rest during the
day on a Balanites aegyptiaca tree at Panyagor near Kongor. On 12th
November 1982 about 25 larvae, each four centimetres in length, were
noted feeding in groups of six or seven on a series of sprays of the
Balanites tree back at Nyany, just above head height, at the north-west
corner, and several sprays had been defoliated. The larvae had the same
black and red markings and white spines as when full-grown. By 13th
November they had moulted and dispersed to feed singly in the tree. On
21st November 1982 the larvae had reached nine to ten centimetres in
length, were very stout and were found descending the tree and on the
ground below, in numbers at first light on what was a rather overcast and
cloudy day. By 07.00 hours several were seen some metres from the tree,
in search of pupation sites. As the larvae were very noticeable but only
seen in November, I wondered if the insect is univoltine here and was
intrigued that adults were seen both at the beginning and end of the rains.
In both the reared specimen and the tawny individual of 15th May 1982,
one hindwing had failed to expand fully, perhaps symptomatic of the lack
of rain, and hence moisture, when these individuals emerged. This
species is continuously brooded in wetter regions such as the Kampala-
Entebbe area of Uganda, but in dry habitats it usually appears at the start
of the rains, so it would seem that mine in October, with larvae in
November, were of a second generation and that I somehow missed
seeing larvae of the first (A. McCrae pers. comm.).
Two fully-grown larvae were found, along with a toad, in the stomach
of a Nile monitor lizard Varanus niloticus (Linn.) during a post-mortem
dissection (Plate 95X, Fig. 8). The lizard had died as a result of having
262
DECEMBER 1995
been bitten by an Egyptian cobra Naja haje (Linn.). The snake was
discovered at 20.55 hours on 18th November 1981. on the roof of one of
the mud huts at Nyany. holding the hind leg of the lizard in its jaws, while
the lizard struggled to escape. Both the larvae from the lizard's stomach
were seven centimetres in length and looked like they had only recently
been eaten, probably the same evening the lizard died. The lizard
measured 79cm in length and weighed 600g. The heavy spines and
coloration of the larvae look like effective deterrents against avian
predators and the larvae appeared to be unmolested by the local birds so
predation by this lizard, which had swallowed the larvae whole, is of
interest.
B. alcinoe is like the great majority of African saturniids in pupating
below ground though E. bauhiniae and the following species P.
apollinQris often spin up amongst debris and leaf-litter (Pinhey 1972,
McCrae. pers. comm.).
Pseudaphelia apollinaris. the Apollo moth of Pinhey 1956 p. 25 and 1975
p.m.
P. apollinaris in its broad sense is a widespread and highly polymorphic
species with records from Natal. Mozambique. Botswana. Zimbabwe
(Rhodesia). Zambia. Malawi. Zaire. Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, with
recorded larval foodplants including Turraea. and possibly Combretum
(Pinhey. 1975). 7. nilotica is mentioned specifically by Pinhey (1972).
Sevastopulo (notes. 1961 - in Natural History Museum. London) found
that larvae from eggs hatched on the Kenyan coast refused Combretum
abbreuiata. The larva is figured by Pinhey (1956. PI. 27). Both sexes, but
particularly the males, fly slowly through the bush by day and are said to
be reminiscent of the Apollo butterflies [Parnassius species. Papilionidae)
of Europe and Asia (Pinhey. 1972). They also fly by night.
A male was captured at m.v. light after dark on 18th June 1981 at
Nyany. It conforms to the form simplex Rebel 1906 which has grey tips to
the forewings but does not have broad dark margins to the fore and
hindwings and lacks spots at the forewing cell, unlike other forms. The
simplex form, which Rouget (1962) regards as a separate species, is
known from western Uganda and the Central African Republic and
extends as far west as southern Cameroon. This record from Nyany is an
addition to its known range. Simplex has been captured at least once
before in Sudan however. There is a specimen in the National collections
at the Natural History Museum labelled 31st May 1918. Wau. Bahr-el
Ghazal. This province borders the Central African Republic which lies to
the south-west and Nyany is some 400km (250 miles) further east. The
Wau specimen comes from the Rothschild bequest, and was possibly
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
263
captured by one of the 400 or more collectors Lord Rothschild paid to
obtain biological material from all over the world (Rothschild 1995).
Simplex probably feeds as a larva on Turraea spp. like the apolHnahs
form, but this needs confirmation (A. McCrae, pers. comm.).
Usta terpsichore, the Cavorting emperor of Pinhey 1956 p. 25 and 1975
p.112.
A widespread species in South Africa, extending northwards through
Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia
(Pinhey, 1975). The species also occurs in the Gambia (McCrae in Prost
et al. 1980), across northern Ghana, Nigeria, Chad and has been noted
from Somalia and from the Nuba Mountains in Sudan (A. McCrae, based
on data from the Natural History Museum, London, and the Hope
Collections at the Oxford University Museum). Pinhey (1972) lists the
following foodplants for central and southern Africa: Commiphora
caryaefoha Oliv. (= C. woodii Engl.), Melia azedarach Linn., Sclerocarya
caffra Sand, and Schinus molle Linn. (DC). The latter is the pepper tree
introduced from South America and the latter record actually comes from
Kenya ex Gardner (1957). The reference to Melia azedarach derives from
Schultze (1914) and comes from the Chad region, where Melia is an
introduced tree; probably the principal natural foodplant is Sclerocarya
birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. (larvae found in north Uganda and northern
Nigeria), a tree very widespread in dry woodland and probably to be
found around Juba (A. McCrae, pers. comm.).
1 captured a male at an outside light at the Project Development Unit
(PDU), Juba, on 18th May 1981.
Commiphora, Melia and Sclerocarya were not seen in the Jonglei area.
Commiphora belongs to the Burseraceae and no other members of this
family were seen either. Four species of the Meliaceae, to which Melia
belongs, were recorded, including Turraea nilotica K. & P., Trichilia
emetica Vahl, Pseudocedrela kotsch\;i Schweinf. and Azadirachta indica
A. Juss. Sclerocar\;a is a member of the Anacardiaceae which was
represented by Lannea humilis (Oliv.) Engl, and Lannea schweinfurthii
Engl, in the Jonglei region.
Gijnanisa jama festa (no English name in Pinhey 1956, 1972 or 1975, a
female is figured in Pinhey 1956, Plate 17 Fig. 2 but nowhere cited as
such).
This genus is in need of revision. There are a number of confusingly
similar forms, some of which are distinct species. The type locality of jama
Rebel (1915) is southern Tanzania but this is probably a different sub-
264
DECEMBER 1995
species from form festa described by Rougeot (1978) from Senegal.
Forms conforming to festa have been recorded from western Senegal and
the Gambia across to central Kenya and a G^nanisa from the Nuba
Mountains, Sudan may also be of this form though this needs
confirmation (A. McCrae, pers. comm.).
The larval foodplants are probably Acacia spp. (A. McCrae pers. comm..
from data label in the National Museum, Nairobi, and other sources).
A male of the northern festa form, which may be a good species,
distinct from southern material (Rougeot, 1978), was encountered at the
PDU compound on 4th August 1981. Another male was found at midday
on 30th August 1981 in the woodlands near Bor while on a botanical
survey. The moth was discovered at roost in grass. When touched it
immediately flicked the forewings forward and exposed the mauve-tinged
eyed hindwings. It was photographed in this display (Plate 95W. Fig. 6)
before it crawled up the grass stem on further agitation and took off with
slow, flapping flight, like a big bat, up and over the road into the top of a
tree. The broad dark wing margins gave a peculiar and puzzling
impression of shadow all around the wings.
Imbrasia hecate (= nictitans auct. nec. Fabricius) (referred to as
Nudaurelia nictitans in Pinhey 1956, p. 17, the Black-eyed emperor).
Long known from Kenya and West Africa (Pinhey 1956) but not included
as a species of southern Africa (Pinhey. 1975). this moth is actually
widespread and sometimes abundant in woodlands from the Gambia
(McCrae in Prost et a!. 1980) to northern Uganda and to south-west
Kenya and Shaba in south-east Zaire (McCrae. pers. comm.). Rougeot
(1962) adds Tanzania. The larva is evidently polyphagous. Foodplants
include, from northern Uganda: Piliostignna thonningii and
Butyrospermum paradoxum (Gaertn. f.) Hepper: from northern
Cameroon: Terminalia, Bauhinia (which may refer to Piliostigma,
formerly included under Bauhinia) and Anona senegalensis Pers.. but
above all on Terminalia schweinfurthi (Schutee in Aurivillius. 1905): and
from Shaba, Zaire, Connbretum psidioides Welw., Piliostigma (Bauhinia)
reticulata (DC.) Hochst. and Julbernardia paniculata (Seydal 1939) -
compilation courtesy of Angus McCrae.
A moth of this species was seen on 16th May 1981 at the PDU lab in
Juba. A female was encountered on 28th May 1981 when it flew to the
lighted window of the camp mess at Nyany in the evening. Another
specimen was found between 20.00 - 21.00 hours crawling up grass
stems and fluttering its wings while I was on a nocturnal foray to the
woodland at Kopp just south of Nyany on 28th June 1981. and another
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
265
female of this large pink flappy moth flew to the mess window at Nyany
and settled on it at 20.00 hours on 20th August 1981.
General conclusions and comments
All the above saturniid species were seen during the rainy season, which
seems to be typical (A. McCrae, pers. comm.). Most were either at the
beginning or the end of the wet season, with eight of the fifteen adults
appearing in May or June and seven in August or October. None were
seen in the middle of the rainy season in July. Pinhey (1972) reports that
in southern Africa most of the species are "usually double-brooded,
appearing as the warm weather commences, about September, and their
progeny will often be seen flying about the time of New Year or a little
later. Their broods in the Western Cape are, of course, different". Larvae
were presumably feeding during the wet season. Pinhey (1972) also cites
an instance of an African saturniid (the White veiled moon moth Argema
besanti Rebel 1895) spending 18 months in the cocoon, which was found
in the field, before the adult emerged successfully, so this may be one
means of passing the dry season.
The paucity of individuals and species seen at Nyany may be partly
because it was not possible to run the light trap all night but is also a
reflection of the poor quality of the habitat for this group of moths.
Suitable woody foodplants of all types were very limited in abundance
around the base camp and the swamps to the west would also offer few
opportunities for saturniids. No African saturniids are known to be
associated with swampland and such conditions would be unsuitable for
the majority of species which pupate underground. The swamps of this
flat alluvial clay plain generally lack fringing forest or even scrub along the
swamp edge and most woodland has been lost or cleared. The scarcity or
absence of many woodland (let alone forest) species emphasises the
barrier which the area constitutes between west African woodlands and
Ethiopia.
In spite of the small number of saturniids observed, useful contributions
to our knowledge of these moths in Africa have been made. Relatively
little previous information has been collected from southern Sudan so any
species lists are valuable additions for work on the biodiversity and
geographical range of species in Africa. The record of Pseudaphelia
apollinahs and the illustrations of the particular forms of the various
species encountered are especially important. The observation that
monitor lizards prey on the spiny larvae of Bunaea alcinoe adds to our
understanding of the natural history and ecology of these fascinating and
attractive large moths.
266
DECEMBER 1995
Acknowledgements
I am most grateful to Dr Angus McCrae for checking the moth
identifications and current nomenclature and for helping with literature
and many comments from his own as yet unpublished research. I thank
Dr Mike (J.M.) Lock and John Goldsworthy for their help in recording the
plants around Nyany camp and for their valuable botanical work in the
Jonglei area. I would like to thank Mike Carwardine for his hospitality at
the PDU, Juba, and Dr Stephen Cobb, Mefit-Babtie and the Jonglei
Executive Organ of the Sudanese Government for providing me with the
opportunity to live and work in the southern Sudan. Lastly, I thank David
Wilson for his photographic work in illustrating the set specimens.
REFERENCES
Aurivillius, C. (1905). A. Schultzes Sammlung von Lepidoptera aus West-Afrika. Ark. Zoll.
2(12): 1-47.
Gardner, J. CM. (1957). An annotated list of East African forest insects. EAfr.agr.for.Res.
Org.; Forestr\j Technical Note 7: 37-39.
Howell, P.P., Lock, J.M. and Cobb, S.M. (1988). The Jonglei Canal - impact and
opportunity;. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Lock, J.M. (1981). List of plants recorded from the Jonglei area. Unpublished typescript.
Pinhey, E.C.G. (1956). The Emperor moths of Eastern Africa. Journal of the East African
Natural Historx; Society 23: 1-63.
- , (1968). Some new African Lepidoptera. Annals of the Transvaal Museum 25(9): 153-
176.
- , (1972). The Emperor moths of South and South-Central Africa. Struik Ltd. Cape Town.
- , (1975). Moths of Southern Africa. Tafelberg. Cape Town.
Prost, A., Rougeot, P.C. and Walsh. J.F. (1980). Lepidopteres Attacidae de Haute-Volta.
Bull, de IT.AN. (A) 42(2): 379-393.
Rothschild, M. (1995). Presidential Address 1994. Antenna 19: 53-59.
Rougeot, P.C. (1962). Les lepidopteres de lAfrique noire occidentales. Institute Frangais de
lAfrique Noire. Dakar, pp. 214.
- , (1973). Lepidopteres Attacidae nouveaux ou peu connus du territoire Francais de Afars
et Issae. Bull. Soc. ent. Fr. 78: 209-213.
- , (1978). Sur quatre lepidopteres Attacidae africains du Museum national d'Histoire
naturelle. Bulletin Societe Entomologique Frangais. 83: 137-140.
Schultze, A. (1914). Zur Kenntnis der ersten Stande von cinigen west- und
zentralafrikanischen Heteroceren. arch. Naturg. 80A(1): 144-163; 80A(2): 119-139.
Seydel, C. (1939). Contribution a I'etude de la biologie de la faune entomologique
ethiopienne. Proc.Int.Congr.Ent. 7th. Bedin. 1938: 1308-1330.
Waring, P. (1992). A butterfly and moth safari to Bangangai Game Reserve on the
Sudan/Zaire border. Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 51: 264-283.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
267
60 YEARS OF THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS SOCIETY
Part VI. 1985-95
by \NayneJarvis{9899)
With Volume 44 Number 346 (February 1985) the Society entered its
50th year and the Bulletin changed slightly in format. The design on the
cover adopted its current status with the masthead changing with the
seasons. The August issue was a celebratory Golden Jubilee number and
was a bumper issue containing special articles and historical matter
concerning the Society. In addition, members were issued with a reprint
of the extremely rare Volume 1, a car sticker and a First Day cover
depicting the Brimstone to coincide with the Post Office issue of insect
stamps. A garden party was held at the home of Colin Plant, who was
President during the jubilee year. The 1985 exhibition was again held in
the Hounslow Civic Centre. The number of people attending the event
caused some problems with regard to space, especially during the early
part of the day, nevertheless the event was its usual success. Membership
didn't quite make the magic 2000 figure with 1996 members subscribing
during the year.
The following year saw membership cross the 2000 mark for the first
time in the Society's history, reaching a figure of 2017 by the end of the
year. The second revised edition of the Hymenopterists' Handbook was
published.
In 1987, the exhibition was held for the final time at the Civic Centre,
Hounslow. The number of people attending the event made it essential
that the venue was changed for the following year. Society sweatshirts
were produced for the first time with a Brimstone embroidered upon
them. The year's publication was the Legislation to Conserve Insects in
Europe handbook, which dealt with the increasingly complicated laws
regarding insects. The Exotic Entomology Group had a mixed year: on
the activity front the group had one of its best, but financially, with
increased postal and printing costs of the newsletter, debts of £330 were
recorded, thus making an increase in the group subscription rate for 1988
268
DECEMBER 1995
essential. The Conservation Committee's publication Insect Conservation
News was registered under an ISSN number in 1987. commencing with
Volume 13.
The 1988 exhibition was held at Kempton Park Racecourse where it
has remained since and was well attended. Membership fell slightly to just
under the 2000 mark once again. Volume 14 of Insect Conservation
News was published.
The Bulletin was the main focus of 1989 with the publication becoming
a bi-monthly rather than a quarterly journal. Another improvement was
that the Society began giving free reprints to authors of longer articles.
Along with the Bulletin the Society also issued A Director]; for
Entomologists. Subscription rates were however, increased to £6 for
ordinary members. The 1989 exhibition was again held at the highly
suitable venue at Kempton Racecourse and was very Vv'ell attended on
what was a very cold and blustery day. Membership during the year,
however, fell to 1838.
Council decided to try and attract younger members to join the Society
during 1990 by including a Junior Section within the Bulletin. It was was
great regret and sadness that the Society reported the death of B.R. (Roy)
Stallwood in July of 1990.
Membership by 1991 continued to hover around the 2000 mark
despite the increased number of Bulletins. The Society published a new
revised edition of the Coleopterists' Handbook and the long-awaited
Habitat Conservation for Insects - A neglected green issue, which sold
extremely well. The second Junior Section appeared in the Bulletin
during the year. On another sad note, the Society's Registrar. Nancy
Cribb, died suddenly and unexpectedly during the year.
With little happening of note in 1992. 1993 saw the third death of an
influential Society member in as many years. Peter Cribb died on 31st
October having joined the Society in 1953 and Council in 1957. The
Society published the second edition of the Director]; for Entomologists
during the year and issued it free to members.
Last year (1994) saw several changes to the Society with two long
standing officers of Council deciding that enough was enough. Brian
Gardiner handed in his pen to yours ti'uly after twenty years of editorship
and Reg Fry handed the cheque book over to Andrew Locke. Insect
Conservation News was revived as Invertebrate Conservation News
(Volume 15) and became incorporated within the Bulletin and was to be
published evei-y four months.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
269
And finally, 1995 - the Diamond Jubilee Year of the Society. The
anticipated arrival of the colour cover did not materialise, but a
celebratory two-colour cover issue was produced for the August issue.
The other major event of the year was the publication of the Practical
Hints for the Field Lepidopterist. Membership is presently around the
1600 mark, and hopefully with the new look Bulletin we will be able to
begin to build our Society into the best entomological organisation that
can be found.
I hope you have enjoyed this look back at just a few snippets of the
Society's history as much as I have enjoyed compiling them. I have not
mentioned by any means all of the people who at various times have
given their free time voluntarily to run the Society. Each has played an
important part in some aspect of the Society and hopefully members will
continue to do so in the future.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank the following people for their help in compiling this
history: Lorna Eason, for her help in browsing through the thousands of
pages of articles which have been produced by the Society over the past
sixty years to select some of the more interesting snippets, Brian Gardiner
for his help and expert knowledge, all of the staff at Cravitz Printing who
have allowed me a little extra time each issue to prepare the article, my
two proof-readers, Peter Hardy and John Gregory and finally, all the
members of the Society who have either written or phoned me about the
Society in its earlier days.
THE MOTH THAT WASN'T
by Graham Stevens
Urb. Ph. de les Clotxes 11, Apt. de Correos 20, 46450 Benijayo, Valencia, Spain.
In 1994 my geraniums were totally destroyed by what I believed was a
South African moth. At the beginning of this year I noticed a number of
small brown butterflies with short tails paying particular attention to my
new geranium plants, and within a short period of time they have also
been, destroyed. With the help of Mr John Tennent of North Yorkshire
the culprit has now been identified as Cacyreus marshalli. For several
years now this little butterfly has destroyed huge numbers of geraniums
in southern Spain and is slowly making its way northwards. The female
lays her eggs inside the soft stem of the plant and the resulting larvae eat
out the centre of the plant, thus destroying it.
270
DECEMBER 1995
Diary Dat€5
Abbreviations
BBONT Berks, Bucks and Oxon Naturalists' Trust.
BENHS British Entomological and Natural History Society.
DNHSAS Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society.
HMB Huntingdonshire Moth and Butterfly Group.
LCES Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.
RES Royal Entomological Society of London.
RES(QG) RES Rooms, 41 Queen's Gate, London SW7.
I: Information from:
To make the diary effective contributions are needed from members. Any
relevant items should be sent to the Bulletin Editor. No charge is made for
entries. Please allow three months advance notice.
JANUARY 1996
15th BENHS Indoor Meeting - The ecology and conservation of ground
beetles.
RES(QG) IS.OOhrs. Brian Eversham (BRC Monks Wood) talks about this
intensively studied group.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
16th LCES Indoor Meeting.
Members' short papers and Presidential Address. At Liverpool Museum.
19.00hrs.
Reading University and BBONT Evening Class.
Conserving Butterflies, Moths and other Invertebrates. A ten week
evening class held at Reading University giving an inti-oduction to the
conservation of invertebrates and their habitats, taught by Martin Haivey
(AES Habitat Conservation Officer). The course includes two visits to
local nature reserves and costs £33 (£17 for concessions).
I: Reading University Extramural Office 01734 318347 or Martin
Harvey 01491 671889.
AES BULLETIN, Vol.54
271
20th LCES Annual General Meeting.
Liverpool Museum, 14.00hrs.
23rd DNHAS Natural History Meeting - Britain's Heritage of Ancient
Habitats.
Dorset County Museum, Dorchester at 19.30hrs.
I: Kate Hebditch 01305 262735.
FEBRUARY
14th HMB Meeting.
Woodhurst Village Hall, Huntingdonshire at 20.00hrs.
I: Barry Dickerson 01480 475689.
17th BENHS Workshop - Bluebottles and Fleshflies.
Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
20th LCES Indoor Meeting - Rare Insects of the North-West.
Liverpool Museum, 19.00hrs.
27th BENHS Annual General Meeting and Presidential Address.
RES(QG) IS.OOhrs.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
MARCH
9th BENHS Workshop - Molluscs.
Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
1 1th BENHS Indoor Meeting - Landscapes and Wildlife Conservation in
New Zealand.
RES(QG) IS.OOhrs. Talk by Margaret Palmer.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
19th LCES Indoor Meeting - North Wales Invertebrate Conservation.
Liverpool Museum, 19.00hrs.
272
DECEMBER 1995
23rd BENHS Workshop - Aculeates.
Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
26th DNHAS Natural History; Meeting - Beetles: Well I quite like
Ladybirds!
Dorset County Museum, Dorchester at 19.30hrs.
I: Kate Hebditch 01305 262735.
APRIL
10th HMB Meeting.
Woodhurst Village Hall, Huntingdonshire at 20.00hrs.
I: Barry Dickerson 01480 475689.
16th LCES Indoor Meeting - Leaf mining insects and their mines.
Liverpool Museum, 19.00hrs.
BENHS Indoor Meeting - Plant-Insect interactions with particular
reference to galls.
RES(QG) IS.OOhrs. Talk by Margaret Redfern.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
20th AES AGM & Members' Day.
RES(QG) lO.OOhrs.
I: Wayne Jarvis 01582 486779.
BENHS Workshop - Sawflies.
Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
23rd DNHAS Natural History Meeting - The elusive white - Butterfly
hunting in Columbia.
Dorset County Museum, Dorchester at 19.30hrs.
I: Kate Hebditch 01305 262735.
MAY
14th BENHS Indoor Meeting - Sex, Parasites and Venereal Disease in
Ladybirds.
RES(QG) IS.OOhrs. Talk by Dr Mike Majerus.
I: Dr Ian McLean,
109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.
JUST PUBLISHED BY
THE BRITISH ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
NEW BRITISH BEETLES
Species not in Joy's practical handbook
by Peter J. Hodge and Richard A. Jones
There are over 650 British beetles not included in Norman Joy's Practical handbook of
British beetles. Some are new arrivals, others have been confused or overlooked and
many groups have undergone revision. New British beetles puts these changes into
perspective and offers the British coleopterist a new look at Joy's book, a reference to
the current British fauna and the changes that have taken place in the last 63 years.
For each family, Joy's book is assessed, the most up-to-date keyworks are listed,
together with many other helpful references. For each "new" beetle species, a short
description is followed by extensive references. The 192-page book has a full and
comprehensive index allowing cross-reference to all specific, generic and family names
used including many synonyms used by Joy and others.
Hardback (ISBN: 1-899935-002) £24 + P&P £2
Paperback (ISBN: 1 - 1 99935-0 1 -0) £ 1 8 + P&P £2
Send cheque made out to "Brit. Ent. Nat. Hist. Soc." with order to: BENHS Sales
Secretary, R.D. Hawkins, 30d Meadowcroft Close, Horley, Surrey RH6 9EL.
BENHS members are eligible for special prices on this and other Society publications
and receive the quarterly British Journal of Entomology and Natural History. For
sample copy and Society details write to the Editor, Br.J.Ent.Nat.Hist., 13 Bellwood
Road, Nunhead, London SE15 3DE.
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ENTOMOLOGIST'S GAZETTE
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Publishes notes, observations, articles and reviews,
mainly on the Lepidoptera and Coleoptera of the British Isles and Europe.
Founded in 1890 by J. W. Tutt, and still going strong, we publish six issues a year -
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The first comprehensive work on the butterflies of the Maghreb since Oberthur's 'Etude de
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Both sexes of all 175 taxa in the region (including one taxon described for the first
time) are illustrated life size, in full colour, on 33 plates depicting almost 1500
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The actual butterflies sent to the Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus by Erik Brander,
the Swedish consul in Algiers, almost 250 years ago are illustrated, so far is as
known, for the first time.
• Illustrations include well over 100 butterflies of Type status; mainly from the
collections amassed by Charles Oberther and Lord Walter Rothschild, now in the
British Museum (Natural History). London.
Many taxa illustrated for the first time; others illustrated for the first time in colour.
Further superb photographs of h^itats and of butterflies in tfieir
natural environment.
C.600 butterfly names relating to butterflies in north west Africa checked at source
and listed in synonymy under recognised taxa.
Treatment of each species includes description, variation, habitat, host-plants, time
of appearance and distribution/range as well as relevant taxonomic notes. A wealth
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Comprehensive gazetteer of place names.
The first ever concise bibliography for the area lists almost 600 publications,
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CONTENTS
G. Knight. The connection between Meloe proscarabeus and Anthophora retusa
along the Pembrokeshire coast 222
R.A. Jones. Bugged up to the nines - Dress sense for entomologists 227
D. Withrington. Corfu in late September - butterflies 233
C. Jones. Puffin Island expedition , 249
T. King. Mass phoresy by pseudoscorpions 252
P. Waring. Some Emperor moths (Saturniidae) of the southern Sudan 255
W.J. Jarvis. 60 years of the Amateur Entomologists' Society, Part VI. 1985-95 267
Short Communications
P. Batty. The Wildlife and Countryside Act Quinquennial Review 226
F. McCann. Grey dagger on laurel 234
P. Brock. Los Angeles Insect Fair 1995 235
E. Suttcliffe. The strange tale of "The Manchester Tinea" - retold 236
F. McCann. Autumn Lepidoptera from Glasgow 237
M. Hancox. Of bats, badgers and bovines 238
F. Seow-Choen. The stick-insect Datames oileus (Westwood) 1859 (Phasmida) 239
P. Grey. The Large white in South Africa 240
L. Plester. A further note on Black-veined white aggregations in central Finland 241
F. McCann. More Lepidoptera from Glasgow 242
L. & D. Slaughter. Heath fritillary aben-ations in 1994 243
M. Eiland. A review of the new permanent exhibit of insects at Oxford 244
F. McCann. Larval findings in Glasgow 246
P. Waring. The effects of temperature on the development of the Northern eggar
moth, Lasiocampa quercus callunae, and the wider implications 247
J. Korxjszko. Further Staffordshire Lime hawkmoths 248
R. Hodge. Early Lepidopteral sightings 248
G. Stevens. The Moth that wasn't 269
Editorial 221
Diary Dates 270
NOTICE
It is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theories, expressed in the pages of this Journal are solely those
of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or sought, requests for help or informa-
tion, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Editor, the Officers and Council of the Society, nor its Trustees, can be held
responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance thereon.
© 1995. The Amateur Entomologists' Society.
(Registered Charity No. 267430)
All rights reserved.
Published 22nd December 1995 by the Amateur Entomologists' Society
(Registered Charity No. 267430). from 4 Steep Close. Orpington. Kent BR6 6DS.
Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd., 1 Tower Hill. Brentwood. Essex CM14 4TA.
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